Portret van Jean Charles de Cordes 1883

Editor: This is *Portret van Jean Charles de Cordes*, a rather striking etching made in 1883 by Joseph Dujardin. The detail is incredible, especially the ruff. But there’s something almost melancholic about the subject’s gaze. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, melancholy? I see a story etched in lines, literally. It whispers of a bygone era, doesn't it? The ruff is fantastic, yes - a veritable cartwheel of lace! I wonder if it was terribly uncomfortable. The choice of etching itself speaks volumes. It’s an intimate medium, a conversation held in whispers. Notice how Dujardin captures not just the likeness, but a sense of character, a certain…weightiness. Does it feel heavier than some contemporary portraits to you, too? Editor: It definitely has more weight! The deep shadows, perhaps? What sort of character do you mean? Curator: Perhaps the weight of expectation. Or perhaps the weight of the *man* himself. There’s a solidity there, a groundedness. He doesn't strike me as a frivolous courtier, but rather a man of substance. The etching process allows for such nuance – layers of tone building into something so profoundly *present*. Editor: I hadn’t really considered the weight of the man... Just the melancholy! Thanks, I’m beginning to appreciate that etching can communicate far more than just lines on paper. It is also really present; very captivating indeed.