Portret van Matthias van Oostenrijk (Rooms-Duits keizer) 1644

Editor: This is a rather fascinating engraving from 1644, "Portret van Matthias van Oostenrijk (Rooms-Duits keizer)" by Pieter Van Sompel, residing in the Rijksmuseum. It's done on what looks like aged or toned paper. I find the surrounding border – with all its quirky, almost fantastical details – strangely captivating. It certainly clashes with the gravitas of the portrait itself. What strikes you most when you look at this work? Curator: You've nailed the initial paradox, haven’t you? It's the clash between the weight of representation and the almost playful bordering elements that sings to me. Think about the engraving itself – each tiny line, etched with intention to present the Emperor Matthias in a certain light. What is the cultural context to an emperor in the mid-17th century, though? I’d wager this fellow was all about perceived power. But those playful little putti peeking out from the sides – and are those dragons near the top?– what does it mean that those little images are embracing that frame? The dragons perhaps symbolize strength and vigilance, a subtle nod to Matthias's imperial role. They add such intrigue. I almost feel they comment satirically on the subject. Editor: I never thought of it as satirical. That adds a totally new dimension for me. Is there a deeper meaning to the laurel wreath? Curator: The wreath could allude to peace and prosperity achieved during his reign, but also feels like a well-worn cliché doesn't it? It really encourages you to ponder if Sompel had free reign in deciding the frame’s subject or were working to specific instructions of what was to be put in? Which one of these are playing off Matthias to generate these intriguing points? Editor: I see it differently now. The engraving is no longer a static representation, but this weird interaction between established power, and the potential undermining through playfulness in its design. Curator: Precisely. Isn't it fascinating how a few whimsical additions can alter our entire perception of an artwork and the story it whispers?