Portret van Jean Curvo-Semmedo 1666 - 1707

Curator: Just look at this portrait, Editor; the confident gaze, the opulent wig… there's so much to unpack in Gèrard Edelinck's print, dating from between 1666 and 1707, here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Absolutely, what strikes me first is the man's unflinching intensity. The elaborate details in his hair are really emphasized, especially in contrast to the monochrome background, it gives an amazing sense of density and texture, like a dark halo around his head. Curator: Yes, the density comes, in part, from the intricate technique of engraving and etching that Edelinck employed, showcasing his remarkable skill as a printmaker. We're looking at "Portret van Jean Curvo-Semmedo", a rendering of an actual historical figure. It presents us with a glimpse into the professional networks and hierarchies of the 17th and 18th centuries. Editor: Indeed, the symbolic framing text seems to speak volumes of his roles and position within his community. Do we know anything of this man or, better still, the relevance of his adornments? Curator: Curvo-Semmedo was a prominent physician from Lisbon, Knight of the Order of Christ; the text inscribed is full of those accomplishments. It's also interesting to consider this within the context of the broader portrait market. Edelinck, as a respected artist, provided a way for individuals to project a certain image and solidify their legacy through printmaking. Editor: Precisely, it serves almost as a cultural badge, doesn’t it? Every single piece and carefully included text signifies more than his individual accomplishments but rather the continuity and perpetuation of a particular set of social values of the time. He isn’t just showing himself but acting as a vessel of ideas. Curator: Yes! Seeing art this way really humanizes history; it brings those abstract social ideas closer and makes them almost palpable, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Without question! Thank you, I think I grasp what exactly stands before me on a completely deeper level now.