Christophe van der Lamen c. 17th century

Curator: This is Pieter Clouet's portrait of Christophe van der Lamen, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I find his gaze quite direct. There's a sense of self-awareness that emanates from the image, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Portraits like this were about crafting a very specific public image. Van der Lamen, identified here as a painter from Antwerp, is carefully presented. The buttons, the drapery—all speak to a certain status. Editor: Indeed, his hands are clasped over what appears to be a book or perhaps a portfolio. This hints at intellectualism and artistic skill, very deliberate choices. It is interesting how artistic identity was being shaped and presented at the time. Curator: The symbols, textures, and composition work together to construct a narrative about his artistic persona. Editor: It makes you wonder about the real person behind that carefully constructed facade. Curator: It does, doesn’t it? These glimpses into the past are always fascinating.