Hoofd van een jongen met stok c. 1736

Editor: This is *Hoofd van een jongen met stok*, Head of a Boy with a Stick, an etching and engraving by Jacques Philippe Le Bas, from around 1736, currently at the Rijksmuseum. It’s striking how softly rendered it is, even for print. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: The softness you observe isn't accidental; it's deeply connected to the period’s changing social values. Consider the rising prominence of the bourgeoisie in the 18th century. Artistic styles began shifting away from the grandiose and overtly heroic towards more intimate, relatable themes. Do you think this piece reflects those ideals? Editor: I can see that. It feels like a study, something almost personal and not quite 'finished,' so perhaps it was not made for official consumption? Curator: Exactly. Prints circulated widely, far beyond the elite circles of patrons and collectors who commissioned paintings. This image, precisely because of its accessibility in both price and style, invites the viewer into a sort of familiar, humanistic relationship with the sitter. It democratizes representation. What feelings does the artwork evoke in you? Editor: There's a quiet pensiveness in his expression that resonates even now. I guess art really can connect us across centuries! Curator: Indeed! By examining the social context in which Le Bas operated, we appreciate how artworks actively participated in shaping public sentiments.