Cornelis van Clève 1714

Curator: This is Jean-Baptiste de Poilly's rendering of Cornelis van Clève, now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a finely etched portrait. Editor: My first thought is the subject's gaze—somewhat averted, yet confident. What's compelling about this particular representation, beyond mere likeness? Curator: Poilly's work reflects the artistic conventions of his era, emphasizing the sitter's status. Van Clève's clothing and pose are indicators of his profession as sculptor to the King. Editor: Indeed, it projects authority. I'm wondering about the social structures that enabled and celebrated this kind of courtly production. How did this image circulate? Curator: Prints like this played a crucial role in disseminating images of power. They shaped public perception and reinforced social hierarchies. Editor: It's a reminder that what we see as 'art' is often entangled with political and social forces. The Academy played a central role in maintaining power dynamics. Curator: Certainly. It reveals much about the relationship between art, power, and the construction of identity in 18th-century France. Editor: Examining this etching prompts consideration of art's enduring capacity to reflect and reinforce dominant narratives within our own context.