Portret van Caspar Steinli 1815

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum we have a print from 1815, "Portret van Caspar Steinli," crafted by Johann Heinrich Lips. It's an engraving, showcasing Steinli, who was the former mayor. Editor: Ah, he certainly looks like someone not to be trifled with! Stern gaze, the solid framing of the oval, very...grounded, isn’t he? There’s an honesty here, a straightforward presentation. Curator: Lips, known for his realistic approach, likely produced several prints to satisfy a demand. This was how you disseminated images, documented individuals, and fueled political and social narratives. This print may have had a limited edition but it served a very real public function. Editor: I can see that! The way the light catches the paper, too – almost makes him seem… illuminated. As if, literally and metaphorically, shedding light on civic virtue or…serious business? Is it me or there is an overall solemnity? Curator: That somber tone resonates with the era. Prints like these, were often commissioned to solidify legacies or disseminate public figures images, often within specific class contexts. This type of portrait allowed for multiple affordable copies, which means access to larger population than, say, painting. Editor: It's strange isn't it how even something so reproducible feels so...stately. Almost mournful. Perhaps the precision and care of the engraving gives it an austere gravitas beyond the simple portrait it depicts. Like Steinli embodies the weight of responsibility? Curator: Exactly, this is where material choice serves artistic and social ends. Engraving offered precision and detail, reflecting the subject’s social standing. Every line has a purpose. Editor: Lips did have a purpose indeed; to offer an image, not just to create pretty decorations! Curator: It definitely presents us a good glimpse into that specific time in history! Editor: Absolutely! He stands out as a formidable figure who represents something beyond just being mayor!