Portret van de predikant Simon de Kok 1797

Editor: This is a rather somber portrait, isn't it? It's "Portrait of the Preacher Simon de Kok," made in 1797 by Charles Howard Hodges. It’s an engraving, so a print. There's something very…contained about it. What do you see in this piece that maybe I'm missing? Curator: Contained, yes! That's a brilliant way to put it. Hodges really captures the…gravitas, almost the weight of responsibility, in de Kok's expression. I imagine a person devoted to moral conduct during turbulent times would indeed appear circumspect and deliberate, someone seeking heavenly advice. The oval frame seems to hold him, focus us tightly on his face and demeanor. Do you get that sense? Editor: Absolutely! The frame feels deliberate, not just decorative. It’s almost like we’re peering in on a private moment of reflection. And those lines in the engraving... they seem so precise, like they are searching to convey hidden sentiments. Curator: Exactly! Neoclassicism favored order and clarity and valued the weightiness of antiquity and scripture. The inscription below – did you happen to glimpse its import? “This likeness shows de Kok, rejoicing in God’s word…who watches over ‘s-Gravelande.” That tells us a lot, doesn’t it? It's not just a portrait; it's a testament to his piety, designed to be shared and disseminated via print. I wonder who kept a copy? Did his family receive it well? Editor: That contextual information really enriches the experience. Now I see the work as more than just a portrait, but as a public declaration of faith. Thanks for opening my eyes! Curator: And thank you for highlighting that initial sense of containment! It set us on the right path, didn’t it? There’s always more than meets the eye, isn’t there?