Portret van Valentin Heins 1761

This is a portrait of Valentin Heins by Christian Fritzsch, made with etching, sometime between 1695 and 1769. Immediately we are drawn to the sitter's face, framed by a voluminous wig and an exaggerated ruff. The composition is divided into distinct planes. Heins is situated in front of a bookcase, yet the architectural space is shallow, pushing him forward. Fritzsch employs a sophisticated use of line to create depth and texture. Notice how the lines darken and thicken to define the folds of his robe, contrasting with the lighter, more delicate strokes used for the face. This tension between surface and depth destabilizes the conventional portrait. The sharp lines and controlled hatching seem to dissect the subject, laying bare the artifice of representation. The materiality of the print—its lines, textures, and the stark contrast of black and white—emphasizes its constructed nature. It is less about capturing a likeness and more about the semiotic play of signs and surfaces. The portrait challenges our expectations, forcing us to confront the very act of seeing.