Portret van Michael Angelus Tillius 1690 - 1739

Editor: Here we have Theodor Vercruys' engraving, "Portret van Michael Angelus Tillius," placing us somewhere between 1690 and 1739. It’s striking how this fairly straightforward portrait of a man in a frame still manages to have this grand, almost performative air about it, especially the Latin inscriptions, almost like a dedication. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Ah, yes! I love how portraiture of this era always feels a little like an act. The baroque era had a real love for theatricality and a keen eye for detail. What I see is more than just a portrait; it’s a celebration of intellectual prowess! Those inscriptions are key. This image seems so insistent on proclaiming his academic stature. What do you think he accomplished to have his portrait immortalized like this? Editor: Well, according to the writing, Tillius explored Libya and Asia for plants and helped expand knowledge of herbs. He looks like quite the scholar. Curator: Precisely! A botanist of renown, then. Now, notice how Vercruys renders texture - the almost playful curls of the wig against the severe formality of the academic robes. Isn't it suggestive of this period that science and showmanship aren’t so far apart? Almost alchemic in the process? Editor: That’s a great point. There is a contrast. Maybe, by commissioning such a formal portrait, Tillius was cementing his legacy, literally framing himself for posterity. The botanist’s work of uncovering is then transformed into another form through the art of engraving! It seems art can imitate nature, or… vice versa? Curator: Beautifully put! A layered sentiment to walk away with. Thanks for helping me frame it in a new light!