Twee mannen met hoeden 1596 - 1630

Curator: So, here we have "Two Men with Hats" a rather diminutive engraving from between 1596 and 1630, made by Claes Jansz. Visscher, a prolific artist of the Dutch Golden Age. Editor: They look rather imposing, don't they? Solemn even. There's something undeniably powerful in the way they are depicted, despite the small scale. It's like looking into a different world with a stern history. Curator: Visscher had an incredible knack for capturing character in his portraits. Note the way the man on the left has his hand raised, like he's in the midst of a conversation. And the other, draped in what appears to be an elegant cloak, gazes off with an intensity. Editor: The hats are significant, aren't they? A statement of status and perhaps even their professions. The ruff on the first gentleman really screams, well, speaks volumes, literally encircling and spotlighting him as a certain type of leader, even an influencer, of his time. The high hat as well; a certain stuffiness comes to mind. Curator: Absolutely. It all speaks to a very specific societal structure. Clothing has always played such a vital part in that. This also ties into a larger cultural symbol. "Lusitan," inscribed at the bottom, indicates Portuguese origin, alluding to perhaps two men with strong influence within Portuguese communities. Editor: Yes, it's intriguing to think about what these figures would have represented back then. Do you think this image was intended for broad circulation, perhaps a statement about society and these two figureheads of the community? Curator: Visscher's prints were quite popular and widely distributed, which suggests the image served as an affirmation of sorts, or a means of conveying prestige. Perhaps even for the subjects of the work themselves, acting like promotional content today, or for political leverage, one might assume! Editor: Looking at it now, after a closer look, one can observe it and try and uncover that symbolic connection from hundreds of years ago. I think it gives you an interesting vantage point of an age gone by. Curator: Exactly. The small print is not only visually intriguing, it can inspire us to reflect on all types of different perspectives, not only those presented to us directly, which in and of itself carries symbolic weight!