Reproductie van een gravure van een portret van Pieter Verbruggen (I) door Conrad Lauwers before 1877

This is Joseph Maes' reproduction of Conrad Lauwers’ engraving of Pieter Verbruggen I. Though undated, Maes created this work sometime in the late 19th century. It depicts Verbruggen, a renowned sculptor from 17th century Antwerp, holding a bust, presumably one of his own creations. What does it mean for an artist to be captured by another? Here, we have Verbruggen, immortalized through Lauwers' and Maes's interpretations. The male gaze is palpable, yet what stories might the sculptures tell if they could speak? Consider the layers of representation and the male artistic lineage. How does each artist's identity, historical positioning, and perspective influence the final image? It reflects not only artistic skill but also the cultural values and power dynamics inherent in portraiture. It makes you think, doesn't it? What narratives are preserved, and whose stories remain untold?