Bust of a Man with Feathers in His Cap c. 18th century

Curator: Georg Friedrich Schmidt, born in Berlin in 1712, created this etching, "Bust of a Man with Feathers in His Cap." What strikes you first about it? Editor: A sense of warmth, maybe? That enormous, fluffy hat, the way it frames his face—it’s surprisingly inviting. Curator: The cap and the loosely knotted scarf are details meant to signal status, but they also serve a psychological function. Editor: It feels intimate, as if we're catching him in a moment of private contemplation rather than public display. Curator: Exactly, the etching technique lends itself to this kind of psychological exploration. Schmidt is not simply recording a likeness. Editor: It's interesting how the textures, all those tiny lines, come together to suggest vulnerability, even in someone so adorned. Curator: It reveals how much a portrait depends on more than just accurate representation. Editor: Yes, it's a study of self, crafted with exquisite control of a difficult medium.