Portret van Antonio Scarpa 1835

This is Antoine Maurin’s ‘Portret van Antonio Scarpa’, a lithograph at the Rijksmuseum. The image is dominated by shades of grey, creating a soft, almost dreamlike visual impression. The composition centres on the figure of Antonio Scarpa, positioned to draw the eye immediately to his face, framed by soft white hair. Maurin plays with light and shadow, using the contrast to define the form and texture of Scarpa’s coat and delicate lace detailing. Looking closely, one notices the meticulous lines that build up the image, a pattern of marks which give structure to the portrait. This technique serves to highlight not only the physical features but also the character, perhaps reflecting the values of the period, where physiognomy was often thought to reveal one's inner self. The lithographic medium, with its capacity for nuanced tonal variations, is cleverly used to create a layered effect, as if Maurin is exploring not just representation, but the very essence of portrayal itself. This method destabilizes the traditional notion of portraiture.