Portret van Johannes Cyprianus 1700 - 1733

Curator: Martin Bernigeroth produced this engraving, “Portret van Johannes Cyprianus,” sometime between 1700 and 1733. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, the texture pulls me in. I’m thinking about the material practice involved, how the light catches on those fine lines to create this detailed portrait of the theologian. Curator: Indeed. Bernigeroth clearly situates Cyprianus within a scholarly framework. Note the books visible in the background behind the oval frame, alongside the Latin inscription. Editor: Let's not forget that impressive draped curtain! Its placement complicates the figure's presence, lending a certain theatrical flair to this man of the cloth. I wonder about the division of labor involved in making these kinds of portraits accessible for mass consumption as it transformed social capital. Curator: Absolutely. Cyprianus's identity, deeply entrenched in religious doctrine and academic standing, would have dictated such symbolic visual cues to portray authority and respect within baroque society. It invites conversation around class and power structures inherent during this time. Editor: I’m struck by the way the engraving mimics the textures of fabric and even human skin. There is skill evident in this portrait to flatten volume for consumption on this printed matter. Curator: Bernigeroth successfully crafted more than just a depiction of an individual; he created a visual assertion of status and intellectual heritage. This engraving encapsulates 18th-century values, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. Analyzing the means of its production offers a powerful insight into the visual and social culture from which it comes. It shows me that beyond its subject matter lies complex labor in this object that requires contemplation.