Portret van keizer Jozef II 1779 - 1783

This is Jean-Étienne Liotard's portrait of Emperor Joseph II, made with etching. Note how the artist's technique, using fine, dense lines, creates a sense of texture and depth on the subject's coat. The subtle gradations of tone suggest not just form, but also the quality of light as it falls across the Emperor’s face. Liotard's precision and linearity reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and observation. Looking closely, you may notice the formal attire which tells us something about identity. The arrangement of the clothing, the placement of the decorations – all serve as signs, communicating power. This creates a complex interplay of visual elements and encoded meanings. Liotard's image, then, is not merely a depiction. It's an active construction, a visual argument about the nature of power, representation, and the codes by which we understand the world.