Buste van Julius Caesar 1646 - 1670

Editor: Here we have Hubert Quellinus’s "Buste van Julius Caesar," an engraving dating from the mid-17th century, held here at the Rijksmuseum. The texture achieved through the engraving is striking. What can you tell us about this portrayal, thinking about its place in art history? Curator: Well, this image speaks volumes about the enduring power of classical imagery. During the Baroque period, there was a resurgence of interest in antiquity, and the depiction of figures like Julius Caesar served to legitimize power and authority. How do you think its accessibility as a print alters its societal role? Editor: That's interesting. Making it more available shifts it from a symbol owned by the elite to something more widely accessible? Curator: Exactly! Engravings like this were not just art objects but also political tools. They allowed for the dissemination of idealized images of leadership, influencing public perception of power. Consider, for example, the deliberate choice of representing Caesar as a bust - reminiscent of ancient Roman sculpture itself - subtly evoking concepts of heroism, nobility and strength associated with that era. How do you think viewers at the time might have reacted to that deliberate visual citation? Editor: It probably bolstered the importance of leadership in their time by invoking the values and stability associated with Rome. It’s interesting to see the Baroque style used to elevate these classic images into symbols of power. I never thought about it like that before! Curator: Indeed. This piece reminds us that art never exists in a vacuum. It's always engaging in a conversation with its past, present, and potential future. It shows how images are used, reused, and imbued with fresh meanings as society develops.