Portret van Philip Hendrik Quysen 1794 - 1800

François Gonord created this portrait of Philip Hendrik Quysen, using engraving. The circular frame immediately focuses our attention on Quysen’s profile, a classic composition for formal portraiture. This shape contrasts with the square format of the paper, creating a visual hierarchy. Gonord employs sharp lines and subtle shading to define Quysen’s features and military attire. The lines are particularly important; they not only outline form, but also convey texture, especially in the rendering of hair and clothing. Note the precise, almost mathematical, arrangement of the lines indicating the folds and buttons on the uniform, adding to the effect of dignity. The inscription around the portrait, combined with the coat of arms above, acts as a semiotic system of signs. These elements enrich the symbolic communication of status and identity. Gonord uses these formal choices to communicate not only the likeness of an individual, but also his position within a structured social order. Meaning emerges from the interplay between form and context.