Portret van Egbert Meussen Kortenaer 1796 - 1849

Curator: The subject’s got that very particular air about him – that of someone who's just had a rather surprising revelation. The furrowed brow, the eyes that say, "Well, I never!" It’s captivating. Editor: I find that sentiment interesting, especially given that this is a pencil drawing of Egbert Meussen Kortenaer, dating back to sometime between 1796 and 1849, courtesy of Albertus Brondgeest. It's interesting you call it captivating, as it’s definitely one of the more reserved portraits in this collection, in my view. Curator: Reserved, yes, but there's something so wonderfully human about its imperfection. This isn’t some godlike, flawless depiction, thank goodness! I'm getting a lot from the symbols— the draped sash with elaborate trim might be related to civic duty. Editor: The slightly skewed symmetry, perhaps. It does seem more attuned to presenting the *man* Kortenaer, more than *Mister* Kortenaer. Curator: Exactly! The fact that it's a pencil drawing makes it feel all the more intimate, don't you think? Like a stolen glance, a fleeting moment captured. A reminder that even historical figures were just people. Editor: Absolutely. The medium itself becomes a symbol of accessibility, a direct line to a past individual. The use of pencil lends an immediacy. We're so accustomed to portraits of this period employing oils for their inherent capacity for capturing luster and detail; it sets this work apart. Curator: I wonder what Kortenaer himself would make of our conversation! Probably shrug, adjust that rather fetching cravat, and say, “Well, did you capture the real me, or did you make me prettier?” He looks as if he knew about scrutiny. Editor: It prompts reflection, really, on what endures of a person—not just the carefully constructed facade of an oil painting, but, instead, a fleeting trace. Curator: And maybe that trace is where the truest essence resides, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Perhaps, perhaps... Now, there's an avenue worth exploring further!