Man Holding a Crossbow 1710 - 1756

Curator: The first impression I get from this engraving is one of formality, and perhaps also a subtle theatricality. Editor: I agree. Let's dive into "Man Holding a Crossbow." This print, created by Martin Engelbrecht sometime between 1710 and 1756, uses pen and engraving techniques to portray both a man posing proudly with a crossbow, but also reveals several other interactions going on in the scene behind him. It currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The intricate lines create depth, emphasizing the materiality of the ink on paper. Curator: And the social context here is palpable. The man's attire, the surrounding figures – they speak volumes about class and leisure in the Baroque era. Editor: Exactly. This is genre painting but at the same time a clear portrait of a certain kind of man with access to recreational hunting and its equipment. We have to consider how notions of identity, tied to hunting and perhaps even violence, are being performed here. What statements are being made? Curator: Look at the detail in the rendering of his clothing, then compare that to the other individuals behind him. You see an attempt at capturing texture in fabric through variations in line thickness and density of mark making. There is an inherent relationship to skilled labor embedded within each tiny deliberate pen-stroke. Editor: And that labor tells us much about value. Who has the time and resources for such craftsmanship? Who can afford such leisurely pursuits? Even the crossbow itself – a technological marvel of its time and one that requires highly skilled labor. How does that translate in terms of male power? Curator: Furthermore, let’s examine the composition itself. Engelbrecht has framed his central figure almost theatrically within what seems to be some sort of doorway, really making the central male figure the focus, thereby manipulating the audience to draw the exact conclusions that we’ve both independently touched upon! Editor: Yes, it's fascinating how all these elements coalesce – a man displaying his status, supported by a structure that inevitably relies on specific intersections of social power during this period in European history. Thank you. Curator: Agreed. Thinking about both Engelbrecht's artistic approach, as well as its contextual setting gives me a new perspective on appreciating his skilled labor practices that, once made visible, encourage a different kind of looking.