Portret van Johann Pfeffinger 1597 - 1599

Robert Boissard created this print, "Portret van Johann Pfeffinger," sometime around 1650, using etching and engraving techniques. The portrait is neatly framed, drawing our eyes immediately to the face of Johann Pfeffinger, a theologian. The composition strikes a balance between formality and intimacy. Pfeffinger is depicted with a solemn expression, his hands clasping a book, suggesting intellect and contemplation. The use of line is meticulous, creating texture in his beard and clothing, and defining the architectural elements surrounding him. These lines aren't just descriptive; they build form and structure. Around Pfeffinger's head, the ornamental cartouche does more than decorate, it signifies status, framing its subject within a semiotic language, suggesting a man of considerable learning and authority. The formal structure, rooted in the portrait tradition, makes a statement about Pfeffinger's role in society. Through its thoughtful composition and careful execution, the print operates as both an artistic representation and a cultural statement.