Portret van Henri François d'Aguesseau 1717 - 1799

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum we have an engraving titled "Portret van Henri François d'Aguesseau". While the artist is listed as anonymous, the work is dated from 1717-1799. Editor: It's certainly imposing, isn't it? There’s a starkness in its execution, almost a kind of stoic rigidity. All those fine lines seem to capture the gravity of the sitter, despite its small size. Curator: Exactly. D’Aguesseau was the Chancellor of France during a volatile period of social and political change. The very essence of Baroque portraiture, with all its complexity, seeks to legitimize hierarchical social relations of that time. This portrait of D'Aguesseau, sets out to present its sitter in a manner designed to instill both deference and respect. Editor: I see that in the balance and symmetry—the oval frame, the formal attire, but especially in the inscription proclaiming his title beneath the portrait. The precision of the lines composing the engraving creates an interesting interplay of light and shadow, adding a textural element that accentuates the materiality of the work. Curator: Absolutely. But let's also consider how the portrait constructs d'Aguesseau's identity as a pillar of the French establishment, a man who wielded tremendous power during a tumultuous period. The image doesn't simply depict a man, but reinforces the ideology of the ancien régime. We might look at the role of portraiture, more generally, in constructing a kind of authoritarian culture back then. Editor: Yes, although the more I look at the rendering of his face and wig, the less formidable he seems. He almost appears affable, or, dare I say, even a bit lost amidst all the curls. Curator: I disagree. He is indeed, after all, wearing the mask of power! But perhaps we should consider too that the engraver has softened some of the lines, offering a touch of humanity to this figure. Editor: It’s an interesting tension: technique, structure, history, ideology. Seeing how all of these elements inform each other, enriches our understanding, doesn’t it? Curator: Indubitably. Exploring all the facets, through technique and cultural context, creates such a fuller image.