Portret van Wolter Jan Gerrit Bentinck 1858 - 1862

Editor: This is "Portret van Wolter Jan Gerrit Bentinck" by Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch, made sometime between 1858 and 1862. It's a print, an engraving on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a rather formal and austere portrayal. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, you’re right. It *is* formal, almost rigidly so, isn't it? But that’s part of the fun. It makes me wonder, doesn't it? I immediately imagine him being this really rebellious guy inside that formal wear; all powdered wig and stiff posture, but dreaming of...of chaos and brightly coloured waistcoats! This tension between outward appearance and potential inner life is interesting. Doesn't the print style give it an old engraving feel? Do you pick that up? Editor: Yes, it definitely does. It’s got that sort of… classic portrait vibe. How do you think that choice of medium affects our understanding of the subject? Curator: Ah, a brilliant question! Engraving lends itself to crisp lines, formality and reproducibility, doesn't it? So think about the societal implications. This image might have circulated widely; shaping public perception, perpetuating that "ideal" of a respectable gentleman. Maybe even reinforcing power dynamics, with Bentinck carefully crafting his public image. We are far removed from oil on canvas at this moment. What's your reading on the signature present? Editor: I didn't notice that initially, but I think it does speak to that aspect of public perception. I can only imagine how far the impression travelled and influenced folks from all walks of life back in the day. Curator: Exactly! Each viewing is almost like peeking into a moment frozen in time. We can bring this past into our current understandings and reflections. I hope we see more like this soon.