Portret van Maximilien de Bourgogne, graaf van La Loève 1619 - 1672

Curator: I’d like to introduce you to this striking engraving, "Portret van Maximilien de Bourgogne, graaf van La Loëve" by Theodor van Merlen, likely created sometime between 1619 and 1672. Editor: Immediately, what strikes me is the overall somber mood and the meticulous line work, especially in the rendering of the sitter’s garments. The limited tonal range certainly contributes to a particular kind of gravity, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Yes, absolutely. The formal arrangement with the oval frame and heraldic elements speaks to a very specific era of aristocratic portraiture, doesn't it? There’s a distinct emphasis on the subject's status and lineage within Burgundian society. We see the strategic employment of Baroque aesthetics to portray power and authority. Editor: But there is something strangely restrained about the figure himself. The artist employs incredible control of light and shadow. Consider the subtle rendering of the face—there is a strong geometric scaffolding there and very refined details. It's almost a psychological study despite its historical context. Is the almost dour expression Maximilien de Bourgogne's intrinsic trait, or rather one prescribed by the conventions of representation? Curator: I believe the printmaker is subtly engaging with established modes of representation whilst revealing certain individualized attributes of the subject. Looking closely at how Van Merlen uses lettering as integral parts of the overall design reinforces the intended historical meaning and adds another visual and textual layer to the work. Editor: I notice as well, at the bottom, cherubs holding the family scroll: very traditional yet, within the confines of that form, handled with significant artistic creativity. The cross below the image of the subject is telling. Curator: That element signals Maximilien de Bourgogne’s religious affiliations as an Abbot. That said, what remains remarkable is the capacity of Van Merlen to instill into this historical portrait a subtle narrative around an illustrious individual. Editor: Indeed, examining both the structure and socio-historical conditions of possibility illuminates an artwork that is not just a representation, but a potent encapsulation of personal identity, historical epoch and formal achievement.