Portret van L.H.L. de Haerne 1859

Curator: This is a portrait of L.H.L. de Haerne, made in 1859 by Joseph Schubert. It's an engraving, so we're looking at a print, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Dignified! It has an aura of quiet power. The soft grays create a kind of respectful distance, almost like seeing a ghost from the past who still has something important to say. Curator: "Quiet power" is spot on. The details of his clothing—the elaborate trim, the medal—speak to his status. He was, according to the inscription below the portrait, a Royal Commissioner. We can delve deeper into the implications of that title. In 1859, what power structures were at play? Who was afforded such royal appointments? What policies did figures like de Haerne uphold or challenge? These are all lines of inquiry that enrich the experience of viewing a seemingly simple portrait. Editor: Absolutely. It invites speculation! His eyes hold a hint of amusement, or is it perhaps a trace of sadness? And the way he holds his hat – it’s so formal, yet there’s also a sense of human vulnerability there. You imagine he's been asked to attend countless official functions and he can never leave without this silly hat, haha! I wonder what that was like. It's like the artist captured a fleeting moment of private thought amid the pomp and circumstance. Curator: It’s a powerful exercise to use these details as pathways. The angle of the hat and set of the brow provide a lens into his psyche, and subsequently to the political realities of the time period. His stance isn't rigidly formal but appears relaxed, offering insight into ideas about power and masculinity. His expression provides opportunity to think about constructions of masculinity and privilege in the context of the 19th century, particularly within the parameters of aristocracy. Editor: This makes you reflect. I never really think about aristocracy until I see these images. Curator: Indeed, and that's where we make meaningful connections—when art prods us to examine history, identity, and societal structures through our own lived experiences and through research and reflection. Editor: I know, right? And it just starts with an old engraving! It feels so odd that you start analyzing an image, get lost in its context, and you slowly uncover little truths. Thanks for digging into this one with me. Curator: My pleasure. Thank you for bringing your keen artistic sensibility to bear; it's this blending of perspectives that helps reveal the true depth within such portraits.