Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma c. 18th century

Curator: This is Étienne Ficquet's engraving of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, currently residing within the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's striking how the oval frame constrains him, almost like a gilded cage. Do you get a sense of enforced formality? Curator: Indeed. Ficquet’s strategic deployment of hatching and cross-hatching constructs a meticulous rendering of texture, from the intricate lace collar to the metallic sheen of his armor. The linearity imposes a controlled atmosphere. Editor: Absolutely. It whispers power, doesn’t it? All those carefully etched lines building up an image of unyielding authority. But does it also hint at a certain rigidity, a lack of spontaneity perhaps? Curator: One could read the calculated composition as a deliberate attempt to project unwavering strength. The architectural base below further grounds Farnese, asserting his position within a structured hierarchy. Editor: So, control both in subject and execution. It's a fascinating glimpse into the creation of an image, both of a man and of power itself. Curator: Precisely. The visual language speaks volumes about the subject's perceived role and the artist's intention to solidify it.