Calvin c. 19th century

Curator: This engraving, simply titled "Calvin," by Johann Friedrich Müller, resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's stark, the blacks and greys creating a solemn mood. The lines are incredibly fine, giving it a sense of reserved power. Curator: Indeed. Müller created this portrait, a print, to disseminate Calvin's image and ideas more widely. It's about representation, about constructing a persona for public consumption. Editor: Observe how the light falls, almost exclusively highlighting his face and hands, lending to a sense of immediacy and spiritual illumination. Curator: And think of the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, especially of religious figures. Who gets depicted? What messages are being reinforced? The fur trim speaks volumes about status and privilege in a period defined by Reformation upheaval. Editor: I’m struck by how the texture of the fur contrasts with the smooth planes of his face; it’s all about material contrast and compositional balance, wouldn’t you say? Curator: Perhaps. But it's also about how power is communicated, then and now. Editor: Precisely, a convergence of perspectives, each adding unique insight.