Reproductie van een gravure van een portret van Marten Rijckaert door Jacob Neef before 1877

Joseph Maes created this reproduction of Jacob Neef’s engraving of Marten Rijckaert in the 19th century. Rijckaert, who lived from 1587 to 1631, was an artist in Antwerp during the Baroque period. Maes’ reproduction invokes the historical context of Antwerp, a hub of artistic and economic exchange, and of the visual codes of class and identity. Rijckaert’s attire—the fur-lined coat and elaborate headwear—speaks to his status. The portrait not only immortalizes his likeness but also performs his identity as a man of stature. Consider, too, the layers of reproduction at play: Maes recreating Neef's engraving of Rijckaert. What does it mean to reproduce an image of an artist, and what aspects of identity and legacy are being preserved and reinterpreted through this act? This reproduction invites us to consider the ongoing dialogue between artists across time.