Portret van Lord John Cutts 1670 - 1713

Curator: Here we have Pieter Schenk's "Portret van Lord John Cutts," an engraving dating from around 1670 to 1713, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The sheer volume of curls dominates this composition! It's as if the wig is the true subject, eclipsing the man and his armor beneath. Curator: Indeed! Consider that Lord John Cutts was a significant figure, a soldier and a governor. Schenk, through the reproducible medium of engraving, had a role to play in the manufacturing of his fame. How the materials were procured, and who was involved are all part of a broader history of image-making. Editor: Agreed, but Schenk's technical skill deserves equal consideration. Notice the meticulous detail in the armor, achieved solely through variations in line and tone. The balance of dark and light gives it such dramatic visual impact. Curator: The dramatic impact absolutely served to reinforce social standing. "Sweat and blood" declares the banner across the top. Think of the societal pressure during this time to support war efforts, and the labor required for Lord Cutts to achieve such status. Editor: I interpret that Latin phrase as being directly linked to Cutts’ personal intensity—not simply as propagandist sentiment. I look at his face, and then out to the smoky battlescape implied behind him. This is someone very present and very direct in expression and gaze. Curator: I would suggest his presence is one constructed and reproduced through skilled labor practices! Schenk, like others, served as a cultural cog. Editor: Regardless, Pieter Schenk creates a lasting testament here not only to a man and an era, but to the very power of visual representation. Curator: And hopefully one that encourages us to continue deconstructing the context that led to this construction.