Portret van Maria Carolina van Bourbon-Sicilië 1824

Auguste Toussaint Lecler created this portrait of Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Sicily, using a combination of engraving techniques to capture a delicate tonal range. Notice how the composition is structured around a central oval, framing the sitter and drawing the eye towards her face. Lecler uses soft, diffused lines to model Maria Carolina’s features, contrasting with the more defined edges of her dress and elaborate headwear. The textures are subtly rendered, from the smooth skin to the feathery plumes, creating an almost dreamlike quality. This engraving reflects broader artistic concerns of the period, where portraiture sought to capture not just likeness but also an idealised vision of beauty and status. The use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, adds depth and volume to the figure, while the overall monochrome palette enhances the sense of classical elegance. The artwork serves as a semiotic system that communicates ideas of aristocracy and refinement through visual components. As we engage with the artwork, remember that its beauty functions within a larger cultural discourse of status, representation, and idealised beauty.