Portret van Jacob Moelaert 1683 - 1746

Curator: The first thing that strikes me about this image is the gentle, almost dreamlike quality to the line work. Editor: I’m drawn in as well. The Rijksmuseum houses this print; an engraving rendered in ink by Nicolaas Verkolje sometime between 1683 and 1746. It's titled, "Portret van Jacob Moelaert". Curator: It’s baroque in its ornateness, but has an unpretentious and somewhat self-deprecating air with all those surrounding objects like the trumpet. Editor: The objects give a real sense of Moelaert. That trumpet symbolizes the herald of announcements, the bringing of news – literally and metaphorically. Notice too the book leaning on the right: learning and the arts? What sort of statements do you think Verkolje tries to render with these choices? Curator: Verkolje is creating a kind of elaborate stage set for Moelaert, one which elevates him by association. Yet, in some ways, all the decoration undermines his pomposity – or rather hints at the *potential* for pomposity. Maybe he had a sense of humor about it all. That self-portrait perched in the middle almost comes across like one of those old time cut-out carnival photo ops. The vines feel very celebratory, even bordering on chaotic. Editor: Definitely a staged presentation! It reminds me of a "vanitas" arrangement, reflecting mortality amidst life’s achievements. The musical horn, open book, portrait all speak to pursuits destined to outlast Moelaert, but those leaves symbolize our fragility in real-time, and of being transient. It’s that universal artistic grappling. The memento mori. Curator: And that slightly mussed expression on Jacob’s face almost reinforces that transience as you so beautifully put it – as though we've just caught him off guard and captured his true essence. It reminds us of life’s little imperfections that often are the realities. Editor: That touch makes Moelaert human! By using familiar icons that represent achievements and success while imbuing life through that human essence, Verkolje crafts not only an impressive portrait but also profound observations regarding ourselves. Curator: Well put! It definitely pulls back from becoming just a display of achievements, making you think about deeper elements. It offers an important and very moving window onto the inevitable paradox of being human, being temporary.