Willem Corneliszoon Duivenbooden 1777

Editor: This is a portrait of Willem Corneliszoon Duivenbooden by Jacobus Houbraken. It is an engraving. It's a pretty formal depiction, but the tiny details and the crosshatching give it a real intimate feel. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Well, that intricate line work invites us into Duivenbooden's world. It feels almost like peering through a window, don't you think? The frame within the frame adds to that sense of looking in on a moment. What do you make of the inscription? Editor: Good point! I see it says “1574.” Perhaps that's his birth year. It really makes you wonder about the life he led, doesn't it? Curator: Exactly! The engraving almost becomes a little time capsule. We've both learned to appreciate the beauty of detail and historical insight of portraiture!