Fotoreproductie van een prent, voorstellende een portret van Jacques Jordaens door een onbekende prentmaker 1880 - 1940

Curator: This photographic reproduction captures a print of a portrait depicting Jacques Jordaens, rendered by an unknown printmaker. It likely dates from between 1880 and 1940 and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: It’s rather striking. There’s a directness to his gaze, isn’t there? A hint of baroque drama, even in this monochromatic image. The lines are quite meticulously rendered. Curator: Indeed. As a print, likely achieved through etching or engraving, the reproductive process itself introduces a fascinating layer. It democratizes the image, making the artwork of Jordaens more accessible for broader consumption. Consider the labour involved in creating the printing plate, and its intended circulation. Editor: That layering of meaning intrigues me too. Looking closely, the textures achieved through the varying line weights, the almost tangible feel of the fabric of his hat… It all contributes to a powerful sense of depth and dimensionality within a two-dimensional plane. The oval border contains the unruly Baroque spirit quite effectively, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely, but let's also consider the role this reproduction would have played in the art market of the time. It facilitated the study and dissemination of Baroque art, influencing tastes and collecting habits. This connects directly to the value assigned both to Jordaens’ artistry, and this act of re-production by another artist. Editor: Yes, it becomes an object of study in its own right. Thinking of the line work further – the way the engraver captures light reflecting from his collar…there’s such precision. Each line performs a specific function to achieve that effect. Curator: And this reproduction now exists within the historical arc connecting the original moment of Jordaens, the artisan print maker and the market mechanisms that led to it being preserved in the museum's archive. A convergence of factors enabled its journey. Editor: Well, viewing it has certainly made me consider its layered construction. It also emphasizes the careful calculation and aesthetic understanding in representing a human figure so minimally and so realistically. Curator: Precisely; examining art through production, labour, materiality and access enhances our insights and offers profound revelations.