Portretbuste van Pieter Adriaansz. van der Werff 1657 - 1707

Editor: We’re looking at a historical engraving: "Portretbuste van Pieter Adriaansz. van der Werff," dating from somewhere between 1657 and 1707, found here in the Rijksmuseum. It’s attributed to Hendrik Bary and it captures, well, exactly that: a portrait bust. The starkness of the black and white, the severe expression… what strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, the eyes, undoubtedly. They’re almost vacant, aren't they? Giving the impression, at least to me, that we’re not merely observing a portrait but encountering an echo, a representation imbued with the weight of history itself. Doesn’t the engraving, rendered meticulously by Hendrik Bary, capture more than just the likeness of Pieter Adriaansz. van der Werff? Don't you find that the rough hatching lends him an austere dignity? Editor: Austere dignity…yes, definitely. I was so focused on the eyes, I missed that feeling entirely. What’s interesting to me is how such simple lines create that effect. Curator: Simple lines perhaps, but see how they define the strong angles of his face, the set of his jaw, even the resolute fall of that ruff? Those Baroque flourishes – the ornament, the drama – don't just represent wealth and status, they tell a story, don't they? This print almost acts as a record, doesn't it? A record attempting to immortalise a specific vision. Do you not wonder who determined which story gets told? Editor: That’s such a good point. It reframes how I see not just this piece, but portraiture in general. I am really grateful for that insight, thank you! Curator: My pleasure, hopefully, we all see portraiture, or representation in general, through fresh eyes after this little talk!