Portret van Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1851 - 1875

Curator: We are looking at a printed portrait of Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn. It’s an etching, likely dating between 1851 and 1875, attributed to Cornelis Justinus Geisweit van der Netten. Editor: It has an intensely historical aura, even at first glance. There's a directness in the gaze, and a somber yet knowing quality that immediately reminds you of the context surrounding his art and identity. It evokes thoughts about art history's narrative and invites you to analyze representation. Curator: Absolutely. Considering the period it was made, well after Rembrandt’s death, its role within art education and the broader culture is something I'm keen to consider. Who was the audience and what were the socio-political aims when making a print after Rembrandt's image? Editor: Precisely. His appearance itself has a certain loaded significance. The hat, the ruffled collar… they contribute to a distinct projection of masculine authority and artistry from the Baroque period. It invites you to question the identity it constructs and its meaning during that era. How does the gender performativity manifest itself here, what narrative does this image advocate? Curator: Yes, and it prompts considerations of the status of artists as cultural icons, or how artistic genius is being visualized for consumption in the 19th century. Editor: Right. To delve a little more, I can't help but think of this image in relation to similar representations of power dynamics that played out. The etching, the very lines themselves seem to participate in dialogues of selfhood and social identity from different viewpoints, not only artistic but from a sociological perspective, too. Curator: It makes you think of the artistic influences and historical processes that lead to such compelling interpretations. Thanks for pointing out these multiple layers, very helpful for our audience. Editor: A fascinating artwork, bringing us to an interesting dialogue about gender roles, art and the social world.