Portret van een Soendanese man c. 1921

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have "Portret van een Soendanese man," a drawing rendered in ink by Willem Witsen, likely around 1921. Editor: My initial impression is one of quiet dignity. There’s a solemn weight to his gaze, even with the limited lines. It really invites a moment of contemplation. Curator: Absolutely. Witsen, deeply connected to the cultural shifts of his era, likely intended to capture something essential about the sitter's identity and perhaps the broader context of Dutch colonialism at that time. We often forget the visual labor imposed on colonized people. Editor: His headwear stands out, these repeating oval shapes... I’m immediately curious about their significance within Sundanese culture. I feel like I'm seeing a fragment of a language I don't yet understand. Curator: It is important to consider the social dynamic when evaluating Witsen's portrayal of the man. As a Dutchman creating an image of a Sundanese person during a time of colonial power structures, his choices in representation carried cultural weight, even if it was subconscious. Editor: That shadow across the face heightens that sense of cultural mystery. And is it just me, or is there a hint of resistance in his expression? Or maybe it's weariness. Colonial encounters must've been wearying. Curator: That ambiguity is what makes it a compelling piece. The direct gaze defies being reduced to a mere ethnographic study; it suggests a person with his own story. This approach also invites us to critically examine the role of institutions, like our museum, in shaping narratives about identity. Editor: Ultimately, I read strength. This isn’t just an image; it’s a statement. He exists, he is present, and he holds something within him that is inaccessible to the outside observer. Curator: Agreed. It compels a re-evaluation of our preconceptions about both the subject and the artist, and forces a dialogue on representation, power and the gaze. Editor: It’s these subtle conversations that images can inspire across time.