Claude Mellan c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Gerard Edelinck's engraving of Claude Mellan, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a fascinating piece on paper, showcasing meticulous detail. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how the oval portrait evokes a sense of formality, yet Mellan's slightly amused expression complicates that initial impression. Curator: Absolutely. The lace collar, while ornate, speaks to the social and economic realities of artistic patronage during that period. It was a sign of wealth to afford engravings. Editor: And that emblem at the bottom—it reminds me of a royal seal, imbuing Mellan with an air of authority and artistic legitimacy. Curator: Yes, the engraving technique itself, the very labor involved in its creation, elevates Mellan's status. Editor: Indeed, it's a powerful representation, imbued with symbolic markers of status. Curator: Looking at the artwork, I am reminded about how prints created access to art for the rising middle class. Editor: I am struck by how this artwork blends a somewhat informal affect with symbols of status to project power.