Portret van Henri de Mesmes heer van Roissy Possibly 1608 - 1765

Curator: This is a portrait of Henri de Mesmes, created sometime between 1608 and 1765. It’s an engraving by Claude Mellan, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. What are your first thoughts? Editor: My first thought is “serene authority.” I'm struck by how this individual—Mr. de Mesmes— radiates self-assurance despite the medium's stark simplicity. There's a calmness in the line work; it’s almost meditative. Curator: The baroque style is interesting, especially the artist's choices around using very fine lines. It speaks to a culture that was increasingly emphasizing individuality, moving away from more rigid, collective identities. Notice how the engraving captures light and shadow. The attention to detail serves to celebrate a single person. Editor: It's as if each line is whispering secrets. It’s a window into a different time and space. Curator: Portraits were incredibly powerful cultural tools in that era. For figures like Henri, commissioning artwork like this was a deliberate act of shaping one’s legacy and asserting dominance within social circles. He was, after all, not only the Seig de Roissy but also the President au Mortier. Editor: I find myself pondering who gets remembered and why. So many faces fade into the past, yet this man’s portrait, rendered through careful lines, endures, inviting us to make our mark. Curator: Absolutely, the endurance of his image makes you wonder, doesn't it? Claude Mellan definitely helped to prolong his life and influence through art. Editor: Art’s incredible power! Well, thank you for guiding me into understanding more the significance of art on history and people. Curator: Thank you, I now know a lot about what impact does this baroque style cause in your perspective, this work reminds us that every historical era brings its own perspectives, doesn’t it?