Portrait of Anthony Janssen van der Goes, Poet in Amsterdam 1700 - 1732

Curator: It has an oddly modern feel despite clearly being of the past. What do you think of the fellow's gaze, so open, friendly even? Editor: A gentle soul! And look at the glint in his eye! Let me start by giving some context. We're looking at a portrait identified as Anthony Janssen van der Goes, Poet in Amsterdam. This painting comes to us from sometime between 1700 and 1732 and is by the hand of Arnoud van Halen. Curator: "Gentle" isn't a quality usually afforded to men in positions of power from that period, wouldn't you say? I wonder, how might his profession as a poet temper the stoicism that we associate with traditional masculine portraits, particularly during the Baroque? Editor: He does have this softness around his smile. Like he is suppressing an amazing joke. I love it. Van Halen really brought out his playful essence. It makes me wonder about van der Goes’ relationship with his era. Did his poetic sensibilities clash with societal expectations, maybe? Curator: Exactly. His attire adheres to convention, that dark coat and crisp white collar speak to status, a kind of civic participation, yet his eyes hint at something less constrained. Is it perhaps the barest challenge to norms, an opening? How does that intersect with queer or other counter-narratives? Editor: Queer narratives in poetry of this era – now that is an opening! But back to the work itself for a moment. Do you feel a tension between the stern frame and the openness of his face? I wonder if that border almost traps him within social expectation despite his subtle… spark. Curator: I think you’ve articulated something key, about framing itself operating as a technology. That border between expectation and inner life – a powerful metaphor to interrogate today. Thank you, I find that perspective invaluable. Editor: No, thank you, it helps to bounce off ideas in this way, seeing the ways in which artwork still sparks ideas about living, hundreds of years on.