Portret van Aertgen Claesz. van Leyden c. 1623 - 1686

Curator: Here we have a print dating from around 1623 to 1686, titled “Portret van Aertgen Claesz. van Leyden” by Jonas Suyderhoef. It's an engraving, placing it firmly within the Dutch Golden Age and Baroque traditions. Editor: What a face! Weathered, intense... it feels less like a portrait and more like an exploration of character. There’s a world-weariness about him that’s immediately captivating. And the starkness of the engraving really emphasizes that. Curator: The power lies, I think, in its subtle manipulation of light and shadow. We’re looking at more than just a face, but also at the signs and signifiers that tell the stories and symbolism embedded within. Consider the hat, for instance; the drape of the fabric. These all suggest a man of standing, likely learned. Editor: Yet there's something almost brutally honest in its execution. There are no attempts to beautify or flatter the subject. That downward glance adds an air of reflection. Curator: Baroque portraiture often embraced a certain theatricality. However, we see some signs that this image transcends into capturing a more human truth. The folds and wrinkles aren't flaws to be hidden; they are historical traces etched into this man's appearance. The banner along the bottom with the Latin inscription indicates prestige as well, yet seems at odds with the very human representation we're examining. Editor: Absolutely. The engraving, though technically precise, feels emotionally raw, as if Suyderhoef wanted to immortalize something beyond mere physical resemblance. To think about how this medium affects our view on aging is something too; to create such clear, almost painful imagery during a time where portraiture might be your only method to immortalize yourself adds even more to its aura. It brings to mind that every wrinkle truly carries a history of experience and memories. Curator: Indeed, Suyderhoef seems less concerned with idealizing Aertgen and more interested in conveying the essence of an individual shaped by time and circumstance. It's the story of his artistry inscribed in the visual medium. Editor: Which speaks volumes, doesn't it? What a privilege to meet this individual across the centuries and engage with his story of self and artistry.