Portrait of Justus Suttermans c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is "Portrait of Justus Suttermans," an etching and engraving by Anthony van Dyck from the 17th century. It’s interesting to see Van Dyck working in print! It feels a bit like looking through a smoky mirror into the past; that fine network of lines feels both fragile and imposing. What catches your eye about this portrait? Curator: You’re right; there’s a delicate strength here. The hatching is mesmerizing. It's as if Van Dyck built the form out of light and shadow, more like describing a feeling rather than illustrating someone’s exact likeness. Notice how he used it to define Suttermans' character. The meticulous rendering of the lace collar contrasted with the looser treatment of the cloak. I wonder what that signals about Suttermans. Does it focus more on his position and status? Editor: Possibly. Or is it simply about drawing the viewer’s attention to the face? The lines seem denser around it. Curator: Good observation! And how does the inscription beneath add to our understanding, that he was "Painter to the Grand Duke of Florence?” He looks so self-assured, yet vulnerable, doesn’t he? Does the line "Antverpiensis," (from Antwerp) perhaps hint that although important and renowned, there is a longing to signify home? Editor: Yes, there's an undeniable mix of confidence and something else…melancholy perhaps. Looking at this makes me consider the power of the portrait, the artist’s relationship with the subject, and the stories a single image can hold. Curator: Exactly! Each line a whispered secret. Thinking of those tiny strokes constructing his story adds a fascinating dimension to understanding the artist himself.