Zittende man 1732 - 1740

Curator: Before us is Jacques Philippe Le Bas's "Zittende man," or "Sitting Man," a print from between 1732 and 1740 held here at the Rijksmuseum. The etching, so delicate! Editor: The man’s expression seems...resigned? The weight of something sits heavily with him. Is he meant to represent a particular figure, perhaps a religious patriarch, or an elder sage? Curator: Given the period and the way he’s dressed, I'd venture this engraving invites a look at the societal expectations surrounding aging and masculinity. His robes suggest a position of authority but there's also vulnerability. Think of the shifting roles assigned to men during this time, both public and private. How might someone reconcile those conflicting expectations in old age? Editor: Authority definitely—robes and a kind of turban. Notice the detailed chair he sits in: clearly an important figure, maybe someone dispensing wisdom. But that long beard... the tradition and history imbued there… Perhaps it also denotes someone no longer active, their wisdom now their primary asset. Curator: Precisely. His passivity is as important as his adornments. What about the medium? The deliberate choice of print invites mass dissemination. What ideas might the artist want circulating and what power dynamics come to mind? Perhaps notions about wealth and piety, of age and privilege? Editor: A print definitely democratizes the image, makes it repeatable. Speaking of, his eyes are cast down. I read that as reflection. The downward gaze, combined with his seated pose—it seems almost a meditative gesture. Could this be less about worldly power and more about internal strength, perhaps resilience over decades? Curator: Interesting. So maybe it also considers alternative interpretations, challenging prescribed stereotypes through both its form and content. Thanks to Jacques Philippe Le Bas we have all the makings for further research. Editor: Indeed. We can trace some symbols further and unlock deeper layers. There is certainly a lot to explore here.