Portret van Willem Lodewijk, graaf van Nassau-Dillenburg 1749 - 1759

Jacob Houbraken created this print of Willem Lodewijk, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. Notice the composition, how the subject is framed by a meticulously rendered oval. The artist masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching, a network of fine lines that define form and create tonal variation. This technique achieves an impressive illusion of depth and texture, evident in the intricate details of the Count’s attire, from the ruff collar to the polished armour. Within this portrait, the geometric precision of the oval clashes with the organic representation of the Count. This interplay is significant; the oval serves as a structural device, a formal boundary, within which the Count’s likeness is presented. This contrast encourages us to examine the relationship between representation and reality, and the ways in which artistic conventions shape our understanding of the subject. Consider how the use of line and form invites a continued reassessment of art's role in constructing meaning.