Portret van de admiraal Johan Evertsen 1841 - 1879

Curator: This is "Portret van de admiraal Johan Evertsen," an engraving by Edouard Taurel, made sometime between 1841 and 1879. Editor: The steeliness of the engraving—the almost metallic quality of the lines—makes a perfect match with the admiral's armor. He looks quite formidable! Curator: Indeed! Taurel created this piece during a time when there was renewed interest in Dutch history and national heroes. Evertsen was a significant naval figure, representing Dutch maritime power. These kinds of historical figures often took on heightened, even mythical, stature during this period. The very name is etched out underneath—a statement of power, in itself! Editor: Absolutely. The use of line engraving is fascinating. The artist utilizes intricate cross-hatching to build form and shadow, giving a tactile quality to the armor, particularly around the high points of the shoulders where the reflected light is heaviest. Look also at how much detail Taurel puts in the lace collar, juxtaposing fragility against steely exterior of a man in battle. Curator: Precisely. This detailed approach echoes a broader academic art trend that valorized the achievements of men in European history and situated people like Evertsen firmly in the national memory. This portrait also exists within a tradition that celebrated naval strength as a vital factor in the establishment and growth of a new imperial world order and emerging nationalist ideals. Editor: Also, let’s appreciate the tonal range. The artist is limited by a singular palette, but by creating myriad marks, values are fully explored. Curator: Looking at Eversten's slightly furrowed brow I keep thinking, what does the notion of 'hero' signify to a population newly wrestling with the consequences of that history? This portrait is both a product of its time and a document that invites critical discussion of the past. Editor: For me, the success of this piece lies in Taurel's mastery of the medium. I will continue appreciating how an engraving manages to elicit that same stoic force from armor that we associate with an admiral.