Dubbelportret van Johann Georg en August van Saksen 1601

Editor: So, this is the "Double Portrait of Johann Georg and August of Saxony," an engraving from 1601 by Dominicus Custos, here at the Rijksmuseum. The twins almost appear superimposed. It's a bit eerie, but impressive, given the medium. What captures your attention when you look at this print? Curator: Eerie is a brilliant observation! I think it stems from the stillness, a posed formality characteristic of Northern Renaissance portraiture, yet subtly unnerving when doubled. But what fascinates me is the dance between the personal and the political. Notice the incredibly detailed ruffs and embroidered doublets - status, absolutely! - yet each brother has a distinct cast to his eye. One appears thoughtful, the other... perhaps more worldly? What story might these subtle choices be telling? Editor: Maybe it's about the artist attempting to capture both their individual personalities and their shared ducal identity. Were double portraits common back then? Curator: They certainly weren’t as ubiquitous as, say, single ruler portraits! Putting two people on equal footing required deliberate negotiation of power dynamics. Custos makes the brothers almost interchangeable, with their clothing so similar, yet subtly different. Notice, too, the inscriptions! Layers of Latin praise surrounding them. Do you get the sense of pure flattery, or something else? Editor: I guess the purpose of displaying this engraving might be to promote political power as an alliance of equals? Curator: Precisely! Art serving as calculated PR. So, what started as eerie begins to reveal shrewd maneuvering. Not bad for a bit of ink on paper from the 17th century! Editor: It’s amazing how much can be read in those little choices! Thanks for showing me new things in this.