Portret van Johannes Smil de Michalowicz 1626 - 1652

Editor: So, this is a print titled "Portret van Johannes Smil de Michalowicz," created sometime between 1626 and 1652 by Crispijn van den Queborn. It’s an engraving on paper. I am immediately struck by the detail achieved through the engraving process. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: What interests me most is understanding the social context of this piece through its materiality. This isn’t just an image; it's a produced object. Consider the labour involved in creating such a detailed engraving. Who was consuming these prints, and what did owning them signify in 17th-century society? Editor: So you're saying it's more than just a portrait of a man, it tells us something about the culture of the time? Curator: Exactly! The materials, the process of engraving—it was a way to reproduce and disseminate images of power and status. Note the inscribed text, framing device and his expensive attire. Each decision was related to consumption and status display. These materials were commodities themselves, linked to broader trade networks. What assumptions are you making about the subject given all of this visible information about material production? Editor: I guess, initially, I thought it was simply a commemoration of an important person. But thinking about the actual *making* of it, I see how the material choices reinforce his nobility and importance. I see it as less about capturing his likeness, and more about encoding his social standing using the means available at the time. Curator: Precisely. It challenges our notion of art as purely aesthetic, pushing us to consider the economic and social factors that shaped its creation and reception. Editor: That makes me think differently about portraiture in general! Thanks, I appreciate your perspective.