Portret van Johann David Baier 1715 - 1777

Editor: So, here we have a print, "Portret van Johann David Baier," dating from between 1715 and 1777. The artist is Michael Rössler. It’s quite striking with all the detail, a Baroque portrait contained within an oval frame. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, beyond just seeing a portrait, I immediately think about power and representation. Think about who gets memorialized in this way, especially through printed media which allowed for broader distribution than a painted portrait. It’s an engraving; a medium with its own history tied to democratization, even in the Baroque era. Editor: Democratization? I wouldn't immediately connect this to social change, looks rather establishment. Curator: Exactly! That tension is important. Printmaking served both propaganda and activism. What does the subject’s clothing, specifically the wig, signify? How does that locate him within a certain social and political context? Editor: The wig definitely speaks to status, academic perhaps? It hides the individual. Curator: Yes! And the inscription below...It’s essentially a glorification, right? "Worthy brother, son, and nephew". It speaks to lineage and inherited status – ideas we should question. What if this was a woman? Or someone from a marginalized community? Editor: That’s a good point, considering the power structures. So the print functions on multiple levels then, perpetuating societal norms while also hinting at the possibility of wider accessibility. Curator: Precisely. And understanding those complexities is crucial when interpreting art from any era. Always consider whose stories are being told and whose are being excluded. Editor: Definitely given me a lot to consider, approaching this with a fresh outlook. Thank you!