Portrait of an Old Man (Adriaen van Rijn, Rembrandt's brother) c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have a portrait, thought to be of Rembrandt’s brother, Adriaen van Rijn, by a follower of Rembrandt. It’s quite striking, very somber. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Portraits like these played a crucial role in constructing social identities in the Dutch Golden Age. This one mimics Rembrandt's style, attempting to imbue the sitter with a similar gravitas. Who was being portrayed, and by whom, shaped public perceptions and reinforced social hierarchies. Editor: So, it’s about more than just capturing a likeness? Curator: Exactly. Consider the institutional forces at play: the art market, patronage, the artist's ambition. How did these factors influence the image we see? Editor: That’s a new way of looking at portraits. I appreciate it. Curator: It is a good starting point for understanding the politics of imagery.