Portret van Narai 1642 - 1678

Nicolas de Larmessin I created this print, "Portret van Narai," likely in the late 17th century. The portrait immediately strikes us with its intricate linework and the structured, oval frame. The use of line, from the delicate hatching that defines Narai’s face to the elaborate details of his crown and robes, speaks to a careful control of engraving technique. Larmessin frames Narai within an oval, decorated with ribbons, which sets up a visual hierarchy. The composition directs our gaze toward Narai's face, which is rendered with a surprising amount of detail given the medium. The artist uses light and shadow to give depth to the face, highlighting the texture of his beard and the set of his eyes. The overall effect is to present Narai as both regal and human, an interesting tension that perhaps reflects the European fascination with and projection onto foreign rulers. Consider how Larmessin has used the formal constraints of printmaking to create a portrait that is as much about the visual representation of power as it is about the person depicted.