Portret van August Neander 1826 - 1840

This is Angelo Gentili's portrait of August Neander, rendered with delicate lines that define form and character. The composition immediately draws the eye to Neander’s face, framed by an octagonal border which isolates the figure from the surrounding space. The artist has meticulously crafted a tonal range with a careful interplay between light and shadow, which articulates the textures of the jacket, the softness of the skin, and the subtle volume of the hair. The structure of this engraving creates a visual hierarchy. The gaze is directed from the softened features of the face down to the angular lines of the clothing. The inscription below the portrait, elegant in its calligraphic form, serves not just as a label but as an integral part of the visual architecture. This work functions within a semiotic system, using established visual codes to convey status, intellect, and personality, all while inviting us to reflect on how these codes shape our perceptions of the individual represented.