Portret van Paul de Vos 1630 - 1677

Editor: This is "Portret van Paul de Vos" by Adriaen Lommelin, dating from 1630 to 1677. It's an engraving and quite striking; I’m really drawn to the intricate detail created through the use of lines. What initially captures your attention when you look at it? Curator: Oh, that’s a juicy question. Well, first, it smells like Baroque melodrama, doesn’t it? That meticulousness you mentioned serves a grand purpose. It is less about recording reality and more about constructing an *image*. The stiff collar is fascinating—so starched, it's like a halo imprisoning his head. Have you ever wondered what kind of contraption was used to achieve this degree of…circular aggression? Editor: Circular aggression! I love that. It does seem a bit much, doesn't it? Almost like he’s being choked by fashion. The overall composition, with its formality, also makes it feel like a carefully constructed statement. Curator: Precisely! And note his hand. The pointing finger seems to guide our view, to say 'Observe Me', whilst seemingly wanting to hide beneath his garments, just in case we get a little too close. There is tension in being on show! The artist knows we want a glimpse into this man's soul; but he is equally afraid of losing it in plain sight, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. That hand definitely speaks volumes now that you mention it. So, we’re seeing this portrait not just as a likeness, but also as a carefully crafted message about status and the internal struggle of the subject? Curator: Bingo. A gilded cage is still a cage, eh? A beautiful print. So much can be gleaned from one hand; it can tell us how a person yearns for touch. Editor: I hadn’t considered that! Now I am considering the pressure to live up to such a fancy portrait and whether he even likes having his picture done!