Profiel met hoed en masker c. 1899

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita’s striking linocut from around 1899, titled "Profile with Hat and Mask." Editor: There's a powerful starkness here, isn’t there? The heavy lines create this immediate sense of theatrical darkness—almost like a commentary on identity through constructed performance. Curator: Exactly. De Mesquita’s choice of linocut is so crucial; it facilitated bold forms and dramatic contrast. We should remember that graphic arts were experiencing a revival at the turn of the century. Woodcuts and linocuts were embraced as democratic mediums, pushing art beyond elite circles to a broader public, influenced by Japonisme, offering avenues for social commentary. Editor: Masking, particularly within contexts such as Carnival or masquerade balls which served not only celebratory but at times subversive purposes. I see an intriguing exploration of secrecy, visibility, and power dynamics – especially within the socio-political landscape of the period. Is it commentary on the facade that society expects us to perform? Curator: Possibly. Mesquita utilized this reductionist, graphic vocabulary to construct an image reflecting the societal shifts toward symbolism and self-expression. The materiality allows for infinite reproductions – making it easily distributable and allowing for broader reception of these ideals of freedom, questioning social expectations and challenging the established hierarchy of traditional portraiture. Editor: Thinking about it as caricature broadens that critique even further, almost skewering the idea of bourgeois self-portraiture. And I wonder too about the gendered element – what societal expectations is this figure subject to, and what does masking allow for them? Curator: Those are important avenues for consideration. By focusing on printmaking and the symbolism style, de Mesquita engages the production, reception, and contextual elements beyond solely pictorial representation. Editor: Agreed. Viewing the work today highlights the enduring relevance of discussions around performativity and socio-political expectations. Curator: Indeed, and it is that emphasis on both making and societal reflection that keeps it powerfully relevant.