Portret van John Fisher 1743

Jacob Houbraken produced this engraving, "Portret van John Fisher" whose dimensions are 363 mm by 229 mm. The portrait presents Fisher within an oval frame, around which various symbolic elements are meticulously arranged. Note the cherubic figures and ecclesiastical objects that embellish the composition’s lower portion. These are not mere decorations but visual signs that invite a deeper consideration of Fisher's identity and his place within religious and social structures. The detailed engraving employs a semiotic system where objects like the papal tiara and keys signify authority and divine sanction. Consider how the artist uses shadow and light to model Fisher’s face, lending a sense of depth and presence to the figure. The formal elements within the image invite us to contemplate the interplay between representation and meaning. Through its structured composition, Houbraken's work serves as a cultural artifact. It provides insights into the values and intellectual currents of its time. As viewers, we’re not simply observing a historical portrait, but engaging with a complex visual statement.