Studies of the head of Abraham Grapheus c. 1620 - 1621

Editor: Here we have Jacob Jordaens' "Studies of the Head of Abraham Grapheus," painted around 1620-1621 using oil on panel. It’s interesting how he captures the sitter's likeness multiple times on the same panel. What's your read of the cultural or psychological significance behind depicting Grapheus this way? Curator: Consider the repetition itself. In early Christian art, repeating a figure emphasized its importance, a kind of visual amplification. But here, the effect is more…psychological. Jordaens presents us with two aspects of a single individual, inviting us to contemplate his multifaceted nature. He isn't just showing us Grapheus's outward appearance, but hinting at inner states. Does the contrast between their gazes speak to you? Editor: Definitely! The one on the left looks more confrontational, while the other seems contemplative, maybe even a little sad. Curator: Precisely. Think about the period, the Baroque. There’s a real interest in portraying not just likeness, but also emotion, interiority. And Grapheus himself…he was a prominent figure, wasn't he? More than just a face, but also a figure who represented something important for the cultural milieu of Antwerp. Editor: Yes, he was the city's "pensionary," sort of a legal advisor and archivist, right? Curator: Exactly! So, to paint him isn't merely to create a portrait, but to capture something of the city's identity. By showing two "sides" of him, does Jordaens suggests complexities and contradictions within Antwerp itself? Consider too that single source of light in tenebrism against those shadowy backgrounds. How do you interpret its symbolic implications, for instance? Editor: I see what you mean. The strong contrast makes me think about the duality between public persona and private thoughts that maybe defines any public figure. Thanks for that. It’s given me a lot to think about. Curator: And you, by observing, bring Grapheus and Jordaens back to life! Visual thinking brings forward not just symbols, but renewed stories.