Portret van Johann Heinrich Küstner 1770

Editor: So, here we have Johann Friedrich Bause's "Portret van Johann Heinrich Küstner" from 1770. It’s an engraving on paper, and immediately I’m struck by how formal it feels. It's a very stately, almost intimidating portrait. What do you make of it? Curator: It's interesting you find it intimidating. I see it more as a record, a way to hold onto a fleeting moment in history. It's a face from another time, captured with such detail. Notice the oval frame—almost like a cameo. Does that suggest anything to you? Editor: It does! Maybe the cameo effect gives it that 'look, but don't touch' kind of vibe, right? And the guy, Küstner, looks important. I’m curious to know what his story was. Curator: Absolutely. And, of course, this was created during the Baroque period... everything had a flair for the dramatic. But engravings have a wonderful intimacy, don't you think? The artist is working so closely, almost caressing the image into existence with each line. That’s why, maybe, it's not *just* intimidating. It's a tender, careful preservation of someone's existence. Editor: I never thought about the tenderness of engraving. I was too busy being overwhelmed by the wig! So, it is history meets sensitivity, perhaps? Curator: Exactly! That tension between formal representation and delicate touch is what makes it sing, for me anyway. These objects are voices. We just need to listen closely. What do you think now? Editor: That's a cool perspective. It does invite you to look longer, to really consider the subject as a person and not just some old portrait. Thanks for sharing that. Curator: My pleasure! It’s a conversation, isn't it? These objects don't fully exist until someone looks, reflects, and responds.