Portret van Hermann Christian Hornbostel op 60-jarige leeftijd 1755

Editor: This is a portrait of Hermann Christian Hornbostel at the age of 60, created in 1755 by Christian Fritzsch, made with engraving. It feels quite formal, very typical of its time, don't you think? What details stand out to you when you look at it? Curator: Well, immediately I’m drawn to the material process. This engraving replicates the textures of wealth and status, but does so through meticulous labor. Notice how the lines mimic the rich fabrics of Hornbostel’s robe and the drapery behind him. This speaks volumes about the societal value placed on representation and the *production* of likeness. Editor: So you are more interested in the how than the who? Curator: Exactly! The engraving medium is crucial. It democratizes the image somewhat through reproduction, but it's still a laborious and skilled craft, involving the engraver's own hand and interpretations of Fritzsch’s design. Consider the access to materials and the level of craft needed to create something like this. That collar is quite something else. What could the meaning of the lines and the layers of paper be? Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn't considered that. So it's not just about capturing Hornbostel's likeness, but also about the cultural context of printmaking at the time? How it reflected power structures, almost like early propaganda? Curator: Precisely! The work reflects the status of both Hornbostel and the printer. Think about where something like this might have been displayed. The material reality – the paper, the ink, the act of printing – those are as significant as the subject matter. The labour that went into making something like this. The social status that could arise. Editor: This really shifted my perspective, it's much more layered than I first assumed. Now, I'll always consider materials and social context alongside the image itself.