Portret van Johan Hudde Dedel 1778

Editor: Here we have Aert Schouman’s “Portret van Johan Hudde Dedel,” created in 1778. It's a print, an engraving actually, and something about it feels very…stiff. What’s your initial reading of this portrait? Curator: "Stiff" is a lovely, intuitive observation. For me, portraits are like whispers from the past, aren’t they? And this whisper suggests a man deeply rooted in his time, perhaps a touch burdened by it. What do you think makes it feel stiff? Editor: I think it's the rigid pose, the tight lines of the engraving, the formal framing. What’s the story behind portraying this guy, and putting him in this sort of oval window? Curator: I wonder. Look at the detail in that wig—an emblem of status in the 18th century, almost like a halo gone astray, wouldn't you say? And consider, for a moment, the almost photographic realism. Was the artist maybe subtly poking fun at the wealthy bourgeoisie while immortalizing them? Editor: Hmm, so a little playful rebellion within the portrait itself? I hadn't considered that. But if so, the subversion seems extremely subdued, as quiet as the lines of this etching. Curator: Absolutely. I'd encourage viewers to reflect on the balance. Was Schouman honoring his sitter? Criticizing? Or doing both? It leaves a lot to think about, doesn’t it? And for us to debate, long after Schouman has made his statement! Editor: Definitely! Seeing it that way makes the work feel a lot more alive than I first thought. Thanks!