Portret van Bernardino Tomitano 1630

Curator: This is a fascinating Baroque print entitled "Portret van Bernardino Tomitano," created around 1630. It's an engraving now held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is its somber mood. The lines are so meticulously etched, yet the subject has such a penetrating gaze, it almost feels unsettling despite its relatively small scale. Curator: Indeed, the engraving demonstrates a masterful use of line and texture. Observe the way the engraver varies the density and direction of the lines to create depth and form, especially in the rendering of Tomitano's fur collar. There's a real attention to material specificity. Editor: Which, I think, speaks volumes about the values of that time, doesn't it? The subject is "BERNARDINVS TOMITANVS PAT. LOGICAL ET PHIA. PROFESSOR", but how much would the working class have had in common with a philosopher like Tomitano in 17th-century Europe? I bet he commissioned this portrait with the intention of displaying his societal position, more than displaying himself. Curator: Perhaps. Though, consider the stylistic conventions of portraiture in the Baroque era. Emphasis on realism and capturing the likeness of the sitter was highly prized. The engraving technique itself lends a sense of formality and permanence. The careful control of the medium seems suited to someone in Tomitano's role. Editor: Formal portraits like this also exclude the sitter from actively engaging in our contemporary gaze and judgements. Is the message of this work that social order and structure take priority over emotional self-expression? What does that signify in the age of COVID, and globalization? Curator: Your reading is insightful. Regardless of interpretation, the success of the print lies in its formal execution. How lines, values, and textures are integrated together to deliver Tomitano to the ages. Editor: Agreed. Though for me it is more interesting to look at how the legacy of historical social status gets preserved for consumption by a contemporary, more diverse audience. A fascinating juxtaposition.