Portret van Nicolaas Struyck 1738 - 1780

Curator: Before us hangs "Portret van Nicolaas Struyck", an engraving by Jacob Houbraken, dating sometime between 1738 and 1780, here in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: It's all swirling, isn't it? That wig practically vibrates off the page. It gives the sitter such a sense of… busyness, even though he looks pretty serious. Curator: Observe the oval frame, its smoothness contrasting with the intricate detailing of the sitter’s garments and especially that fantastic periwig. Consider how Houbraken masterfully uses line to convey texture. The stippling in the background creates depth, pushing Struyck forward. Editor: I keep wanting to know what's in the paper he's holding! Formulas? Predictions? I feel like I should know him – that age, "Anno Aetat 52", adds a real hook to it, doesn't it? You wonder what he's seen, what he knows. Curator: Note how his gaze directs to meet your eyes, establishing visual communication and engaging directly with the viewer. This element heightens the personal interaction, a crucial consideration in portraiture intended for private homes. Editor: I suppose, looking at it more, there is something deeply ordered, very eighteenth century. He’s caught between worlds, isn't he? A chaotic wig with his almost serene expression? I bet he would have interesting things to say about chaos, don’t you think? Curator: Indeed. The tension lies within the binaries of expression. The work successfully explores controlled, but dynamic balance achieved through tonal and structural nuance. Editor: It makes me wonder what we’ll leave behind as our portrait for future observers of history. I’m not sure my selfies will stand up quite so well to semiotic analysis… Curator: Perhaps time shall tell what lines endures. Editor: Cheers to that. And cheers to Mr. Struyck and his glorious wig.