Portret van Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen 1785

Editor: Here we have Reinier Vinkeles's engraving from 1785, a portrait of Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. The composition feels quite formal and reserved. I'm struck by the level of detail achieved through engraving. What can you tell us about this piece? Curator: It's interesting how the severe Neoclassical style almost clashes with the rather…fleshy countenance of our subject, isn’t it? Like putting a powdered wig on a bulldog. I’d hazard to say this image really is about projecting status, wouldn’t you agree? The medals, the elaborate frame… everything screams importance, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely. The framing *within* the frame is quite something, like a portrait inception. Does the medium, the engraving, contribute to that feeling of formality? Curator: Absolutely. Engraving was THE medium for disseminating images of important people. Think of it as the Instagram of the 18th century, but for aristocrats and intellectuals. Except, instead of filters, they had skilled engravers. So this medium wasn't casual, it was meant to be enduring, lending this work additional weight. Editor: So, it's less about capturing likeness and more about creating a symbol? Curator: Precisely! It’s about constructing an *image* of power, a statement, a projection for posterity. Almost feels a little tragic when you consider how quickly perceptions of power shift. Almost makes you want to give the poor fella a wink and tell him it'll all be alright. Editor: I hadn’t considered the constructed aspect so much. That changes how I see the image, making me consider it as less an image, and more of an ideal. Thank you! Curator: And thank *you*! I always love discovering fresh takes on seemingly simple works, such as this "Instagram of the 1700s."