Portret van János Püsky 1650

Editor: Here we have a Baroque engraving titled "Portret van János Püsky" created around 1650 by Elias Widemann. It’s quite striking! It seems to emanate a sense of solemnity and formality typical of portraits of that time. What's your take? What stands out to you? Curator: The beauty of prints like these, isn’t it, is in the intimate stories they whisper if you just incline an ear. Immediately, I am curious about the lettering that enframes him… *INITIVM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI*... “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A rather powerful and suggestive phrase. This, paired with the rather direct gaze… makes one ponder this János Püsky fellow. It seems to present him as both an important man, a Bishop perhaps, but also one of moral fibre. I'd bet my best hat there's a great tale to be told there. What do you imagine his days would entail? Editor: A life filled with theological debates, perhaps? I'm struck by how the engraving manages to convey a sense of weight and authority despite its relatively small scale. The line work is so intricate. Curator: Indeed! And those sharp lines create such depth and texture. Now, imagine Widemann, hunched over his copper plate, translating the man before him into a series of precisely placed lines… a dance of dark and light… what a task. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it like that! Now I see a narrative unfolding in my mind beyond just the portrait. Thank you for your insights! Curator: The pleasure is all mine! Every artwork has such tales, dear editor, simply waiting to be released!