Portret van Charles Patin 1655 - 1700

Jan van Somer etched this portrait of Charles Patin, though we don’t know exactly when. During this time, portraiture was a key way to communicate identity and status. Here, Patin’s identity as a man of science is carefully constructed. Positioned in front of a bookshelf and draped curtain, Patin is adorned with flowing locks and a pendant. His gaze is directed off to the side, almost as if he has been caught in a moment of thought. It’s worth asking ourselves, who was this portrait for and what story does it attempt to tell? The composition emphasizes Patin’s intellectual prowess and social standing. Yet, portraits like these also reveal the complex power dynamics of the time, underscoring who had the privilege to be seen and remembered.