Portret van Jacob Dach 1730 - 1776

Curator: Here we have a fascinating engraving, likely dating between 1730 and 1776. It’s titled “Portret van Jacob Dach,” and was created by Jacques Antoine Chovin. Editor: Oh, he looks like he's seen some things! Very stoic. There's a directness to the gaze that feels almost confrontational. I get the impression of quiet authority...and maybe just a tiny bit of pursed-lip disapproval? Curator: Well, Jacob Dach was, according to the inscription, a senior clergyman in Bern. The portrait sits in this baroque-inspired oval frame and seems to pop out of its marble stand. Editor: The baroque influence definitely comes through in the flourishes around the lettering and frame, even though the man himself looks pretty unfussy! And it's a print? I wonder about its intended purpose – was it a widely distributed image? Curator: Probably, as printed portraits gained popularity alongside print culture. I’d expect that such an image would circulate primarily among Dach's social and professional circles solidifying status and prestige in this world. The texture of the paper and the sharp lines really capture something, though – almost like looking into a mirror across centuries. Editor: Exactly! There's something powerful about that unbroken gaze across time. This portrait also shows how a clergyman could command authority, through simplicity, and also though some subtle touches of luxury afforded through its own production as artwork, in itself. Curator: The rendering feels simultaneously classical, with the suggestion of antiquity in the oval form, yet grounded in the everyday realities of 18th-century life. It's more than just a picture. Editor: It tells a whole silent novel of faith, power, and –dare I say –maybe a pinch of dry wit, too. What a window to have! Curator: A telling and multifaceted portrayal indeed. One that reflects back to us the intricacies of history, personality, and how art shapes perception.