Gaspard Gevaerts c. 1725

Editor: This is Elisha Kirkall's portrait of Gaspard Gevaerts. It's hard to pin down a date. I'm curious about this image. How does this portrait function within the artistic and political landscape of its time? Curator: Well, consider the role of portraiture in the 18th century. It wasn't just about capturing a likeness. It was about projecting power and status. Gevaerts, holding a book, is presented as a man of intellect. How might this image be trying to shape his public image? Editor: So, it’s less about his actual appearance and more about conveying a message about who he is, or who he wants people to think he is. Curator: Precisely. And Kirkall, as the artist, is complicit in that construction. The print medium also allows for wider distribution, amplifying that message. Editor: I never considered how the medium itself plays such a huge role in shaping public perception. Thanks!