Rijke mannen en Fortuna 1778 - 1785

Curator: Welcome. Today, we'll be looking at "Rich Men and Fortune," an engraving by Noach van der Meer the Younger, created between 1778 and 1785. It's a fascinating glimpse into Dutch society of the late 18th century. Editor: It strikes me immediately as theatrical, almost staged. The sharp lines create a stark contrast between the figures and their opulent surroundings. The room, though elegantly depicted, feels almost cold, doesn't it? Curator: Well, consider the materials: engraving and etching. These were printmaking processes that allowed for reproduction and distribution of images, so its accessibility influenced its reach, spreading this portrayal far beyond the elite circles it depicts. The etching allows for those finer lines you mentioned. Editor: Absolutely, and it's through those lines that the artist conveys a symbolic message. Notice the figure of Fortuna on the wall, precarious atop her globe – a visual metaphor for the instability of wealth. The characters seem caught in their own drama, seemingly unaware of the deeper allegory in their presence. Curator: Indeed, and if we look closer at the arrangement of figures around the table, we might ask about their labour. They are in the midst of what? Contract negotiations, perhaps? Or squabbling, and what does this image propose of its patron society? Editor: Perhaps both? I see a visual representation of anxiety about status and material gain. Each man's expression seems carefully crafted to reveal his inner anxieties. The artist isn't just showing us wealthy men; he's inviting us to contemplate the psychological burden of their prosperity. Curator: I agree; however, as an artwork in its own time, such images functioned not only as an object of beauty, but also were indicators of power in themselves. Owning such artwork would mark status as much as what they wore, how they talked, or how they worked with each other to produce work. Editor: It's fascinating how a relatively small engraving can open up such a wealth of social commentary. Seeing how these men choose to represent themselves really gives insight into Dutch culture. Curator: Absolutely, examining the labor that goes into the print as well as the conditions of possibility of its making broadens how we think of class. Editor: Precisely, it leaves us pondering: what is true wealth? The answer is never straightforward in art.