Portret van Karl Borromäus, Graf von Harrach 1821

Curator: Looking at this portrait, I’m struck by how serious it is. Almost… severe, in its neoclassical way. Editor: Serious is spot on! There's a stiffness, isn’t there? Like he’s trying really hard to sit up straight for a really long time. But in the slightly soft rendering you still sense something human there as well. Curator: Absolutely. Let's set the scene: we’re looking at “Portret van Karl Borromäus, Graf von Harrach,” made around 1821 by Johann Friedrich Bolt. It's an engraving, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Engravings like these were often used as a tool for commemorating the elite, wasn’t it? Almost a form of social networking back in the day. Editor: Ah, like a LinkedIn profile, but on paper! It’s quite small actually, isn't it? Almost jewel-like in its detail. He’s wearing a fancy getup; it feels…distant? All that seriousness does lend him some authority though, I must admit. Curator: Authority and perhaps a degree of idealization. Notice the neoclassical style which harks back to classical antiquity in a controlled, balanced manner. It visually aligned the aristocracy with the perceived virtues of ancient rulers, thereby reinforcing their authority in 19th-century society. Bolt crafted not just an individual portrait, but an image laden with political messaging. Editor: And Bolt manages to find some depth amidst that. Look closely, there is subtle character revealed in the slightly raised brow or a faint crinkle near his eyes. Almost as though there is weariness too, or resignation that peers from within. It’s just enough imperfection to be interesting, to allow me to reflect deeper. Curator: I think the print's inherent limitations enhance the mood even more. Black and white engravings distill subjects to their core. Bolt seems successful at capturing some personality. He seems to negotiate the pressures of representation, I find that quite engaging here. Editor: Yes. All in all, it is thought-provoking: both intimate and aloof, distant and yet strangely present with us. Curator: A powerful way to put it. I came away seeing the many cultural forces that framed Graf von Harrach as a social figure. Editor: And I come away simply wondering what sort of man this Count von Harrach was.