Marie-Anna af Østrig. Søster til Philip IV af Spanien 1615 - 1621

This engraving of Marie-Anna of Austria by Simon de Pas captures the formality and detail typical of 17th-century portraiture. The composition is structured around an oval frame, within which the figure is meticulously rendered. The stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through fine, dense lines, gives depth to Marie-Anna’s face and attire. Her elaborate ruff and ornamented dress display a fascination with texture, creating a visual hierarchy where surface detail signifies status. The surrounding inscription, carefully integrated into the design, not only identifies the subject but also frames her within a matrix of power and lineage. The intricate linework and dense patterning serve as a semiotic code, communicating the subject's noble identity and the values of her time. Such formal elements underscore how art functions as both representation and ideological construct.