Justus Sustermans c. 19th century

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the subject's somber mood, amplified by the chiaroscuro effect. Editor: Indeed. Here we have Antonio Dalcò's rendering of Justus Sustermans, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a portrait capturing the essence of the 17th-century artist. Curator: I'm intrigued by the sharp contrast between the face and the collar, drawing the eye towards the subject's gaze. It seems Dalcò understood well how to utilize light to capture the sitter's inner life. Editor: Dalcò worked during a period when portraiture served as a marker of social status and cultural identity. A piece like this would serve to perpetuate the artist’s legacy through reproductions. Curator: Right. The details in the eyes capture something uniquely human, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, that, I think, is the most powerful element here. Curator: Understanding the social role of images like this gives me a lot to consider. Editor: And for me, its visual structure is a testament to Dalcò's skill.