Head of a bearded man, possibly an apostle 

Curator: This painting is titled "Head of a bearded man, possibly an apostle," and it's attributed to Jacob Jordaens. Editor: Wow, he looks absolutely knackered. Just the deepest fatigue etched into those lines, and the way he's sort of collapsed in on himself... it’s all beautifully sad. Curator: The image certainly emphasizes that. Now, without a precise date, we can look to the brushwork and color palette. Notice the thick impasto of the oil paint; how the light catches on the ridges suggests the energy and skill that are indicative of a master like Jordaens. And the earth tones provide context, right? Paints weren't readily available. Editor: Earth tones indeed – grounding, raw… like he's returning to dust right before our eyes! But look at his hand, the detail there. It's fascinating; each knuckle, every crease…It makes you think about his labour. Curator: That brings up a crucial point, this may be a study, intended for incorporation into a larger scene. We also cannot dismiss how images of Saints, especially the apostles, often became commercial commodities. Copies would spread across different workshops in early modern Europe. Editor: Interesting thought. Despite that, the portrait conveys so much! You feel as if you know exactly who this fellow is - every sorrow. Curator: Certainly! Considering Jordaens workshop, he used apprentices extensively. The very nature of creating devotional imagery highlights tensions of individual skill and market forces at play within a painter’s workshop. Editor: A face that whispers tales of ages past… all that from oil paint and likely a bunch of hands at work. Incredible! Curator: Precisely! Thank you. It seems that our differing views offer a deeper insight, together, to our listeners. Editor: It does indeed! Perhaps a bit of human feeling and history aren't too bad after all, yes?