Portret van Scévole de Sainte-Marthe 1666 - 1707

Curator: Here we have Gérard Edelinck's portrait of Scévole de Sainte-Marthe, created between 1666 and 1707. It's an engraving, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The overall impression is of someone quite stern, almost severe. It's a tightly framed oval portrait, very formal and a bit somber in its tonality. Curator: Absolutely. Edelinck was a master of engraving, known for his incredible detail. Note the fineness of the lines creating the textures, the paper itself, and how the printed ink sits upon its surface. It shows incredible technical skill and precision—especially in rendering fabrics and capturing likeness. Editor: I'm drawn to the man's ruff; it’s a striking symbol of status, almost a barrier, and it frames a face that seems both intelligent and guarded. His facial hair and the dark hat further contribute to a somber dignity. I can see the symbols of wealth and authority woven throughout his appearance. Curator: Precisely! And look below the portrait oval – you'll see Sainte-Marthe's coat of arms displayed proudly beneath his likeness. A declaration of lineage that reflects his social position as President and Treasurer of France in Poitiers, roles directly tied to material wealth and power. Editor: So the imagery subtly reinforces the notion of inherited power, doesn't it? The gaze meets our own, directly confronting the viewer, while other symbols, such as the coat of arms and elegant hat, subtly assert a noble presence. Curator: Considering Edelinck’s printmaking practice in the 17th century, it’s important to also remember these portraits circulated among a specific wealthy, literate elite. Print served as a means of reproducing and disseminating this noble identity far beyond Sainte-Marthe himself. The material process extended his reach. Editor: Indeed, reflecting upon this work makes you contemplate the carefully constructed visual language used to convey status and authority, doesn't it? Curator: It does. This engraving shows the artist's incredible skill, but also opens a wider view into how status was visually constructed and consumed in 17th-century French society.