Lieutenant General Wilhelm Sebastian von Belling (1719-1779) c. 19th century

Editor: Here we see Eduard Kretzschmar’s rendering of "Lieutenant General Wilhelm Sebastian von Belling." It's a commanding portrait, though the General looks a bit burdened, don't you think? What story do you see in this piece? Curator: Burdened, yes, perhaps by the weight of duty or the chill of the Prussian landscape. For me, this evokes the stoicism expected of military leaders, but Kretzschmar hints at something more, a quiet contemplation beneath the surface. Look at the distant gaze, the subtle downturn of the mouth. What do you make of the rendering of the fur? Editor: It’s incredibly detailed and textured. There's so much movement, so real. Curator: Exactly! It's as if Kretzschmar is using the texture to convey Belling’s inner life. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It's more than just a uniform then; it's a window into his soul. Curator: Precisely. The artist used the textures to convey inner life. Editor: I’ll definitely look at portraits differently now.