Portret van dichter en historicus Ludovico Savioli 1810 - 1900

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have an intriguing print, likely dating from the 19th century, entitled "Portret van dichter en historicus Ludovico Savioli"—that’s “Portrait of the Poet and Historian Ludovico Savioli" in English. It’s an engraving, probably after a drawing. Editor: My first impression is how neoclassical this feels! The austere profile, the controlled lines... it’s all about idealized form. I feel transported to an age of reason and order, don’t you think? Curator: Absolutely. And when you consider that it's a print, likely reproduced and circulated widely, it reflects a society keen to emulate that Roman virtue and intellectualism. The materials speak volumes: the relatively inexpensive nature of engraving made it accessible. It brought images of intellectuals like Savioli into many homes, contributing to his status. Editor: The line work is so precise. Look at the details in the rendering of his wig, and how the engraver captured light reflecting off the fabric of his coat! I want to examine the relation between line, shadow, and form, here the aesthetic of intellectual representation and power, almost in pure visual terms! Curator: It’s also fascinating to consider the labor involved. Engraving was skilled, specialized work, requiring apprenticeship and years of practice. This print is a material record of that labor—a collaboration between the artist who made the initial drawing and the artisan who meticulously transferred it to the plate. It reflects the values society ascribed to creative and manual labour. Editor: Do you believe this engraving elevates Savioli through its idealized and almost stoic features? Or does this reflect how intellectuals of that time were supposed to be presented in artistic form? I’m captivated. Curator: Perhaps both? The engraving functions on multiple levels, idealizing Savioli while reinforcing societal expectations and assumptions. It’s a snapshot of both individual portrayal and widespread values about labour practices, visual mediums and representation, captured in ink. Editor: What a fantastic material object for engaging such crucial points! Thank you!