Portret van Johan van der Does 1749 - 1759

Curator: Let’s talk about this portrait of Johan van der Does, engraved sometime between 1749 and 1759 by Jacob Houbraken. Editor: He looks like he's seen things, you know? That intense gaze – there's a weariness there, or maybe it's just the way the light catches his, shall we say, formidable armor? Curator: Well, considering Johan van der Does lived in tumultuous times in the 16th century as a commander in Leiden during the Siege, his somber look seems fitting. We have to consider the weight of the historical context. The Golden Age was filled with wars, conflicts... Editor: Yeah, wars and more wars… You can see it etched, almost literally, in those lines on his face. Still, something about the portrait—I am struck by the fact that, despite his steely look, the overall impression has this, how would you call it, theatricality. Almost comical… Ironic? It is baroque in the end, right? Curator: Absolutely. The Baroque style definitely lends a certain grandeur, even in a simple engraving. Look at the precision Houbraken uses, particularly with the armor; you can almost feel the texture of the metal. It symbolizes status, protection, a whole worldview of that period when social hierarchy and protection were of extreme importance. Editor: I bet. Although I bet it was not as comfortable as my pajama bottoms when the barricades were down, for sure! But still, the elaborate detail is fantastic! You are right—there’s almost a sculptural quality to his depiction despite the medium of engraving. So restrained, even… considering the period! Curator: Engravings like these also served a crucial social function. Before mass media, they were a key means of disseminating images of important figures and ideas. Consider it early forms of propaganda. It helps shape collective memory. Editor: So basically Johan here was one of the first memes, then. I wonder what his followers on Insta would make of all this? It is amazing to realize how effective engravings like this portrait were at forging some kind of cultural identity for the elite of the time, something still affecting how we perceive Dutch Golden Age. Food for thought. Curator: Exactly! It encourages to reflect upon art's enduring power to influence how societies create collective memories. Editor: True that. Now, excuse me, but I need to Google him on Insta. Just to confirm my meme theory.