Portret van Pietro Bembo 1572 - 1612

This is an engraving of Pietro Bembo, created by an anonymous artist. The stark monochrome rendering gives the image a sense of classical austerity. The composition is dominated by horizontal lines, from the hatching in the background to the text at the bottom, which contrast with the swirling verticality of Bembo’s beard. The image functions through a series of binary oppositions: the rough texture of the beard against the smooth lines of the background, the clear inscription versus the enigmatic figure. Bembo's gaze, averted to the side, creates a semiotic tension – what is he looking at, what is he thinking? The scroll in his hand further complicates the reading; it is a symbol of knowledge, but also of power and authority. Ultimately, the image destabilizes a singular interpretation. The interplay between line, texture, and form encourages a multiplicity of readings, reflecting the complex character of Bembo himself.