Jean Balthazar Keller c. 18th century

Curator: This engraving, "Jean Balthazar Keller," is by Pierre Drevet, a French artist who lived from 1663 to 1738, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a certain grandness, isn't there? A theatrical flair with the cannon and the man's pose. It feels almost like a stage set. Curator: Indeed. The cannon itself symbolizes power and the subject's role, perhaps the 'general des fontes' mentioned in the inscription. The man on horseback in the background and fortress behind him serve as symbols of military prowess. Editor: But his hand gesture... it feels like he's conducting the chaos, or blessing it. Is that a bit too fanciful? Curator: Perhaps not. Gestures hold profound weight, echoing through history. His hand could be a sign of leadership or even a blessing upon his work. Editor: Well, whatever he’s up to, I’m oddly drawn in. It has a captivating, slightly unsettling, sense of authority.