Portret van Johann Christian Motz 1684

Curator: Look at this engraving of Johann Christian Motz, dating back to 1684. It's an example of Elias Hainzelmann's work, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes you most about it? Editor: Honestly, that hair! It's so unbelievably voluminous, like a storm cloud. It really overpowers everything else, though the armor peeking out gives it this strangely formal-yet-wild vibe, a juxtaposition that kind of makes me giggle. Curator: Absolutely. The hair is very characteristic of Baroque portraiture, meant to convey power and status. Think about how fashion served as a form of political signaling, particularly for men of authority. That armor further reinforces his position, embedding him within a very specific historical context, of leadership, defense, war, of patriarchy... Editor: It's almost comical today. Makes me wonder how hot he was under all that hair and metal! Still, I appreciate how Hainzelmann handled the engraving; there’s an intricacy and softness to it. It’s not just a stiff record, is it? I sense a glimpse of… personality? Or am I just projecting? Curator: Engravings offered a more accessible and reproducible form of art in that era, democratizing representation to a certain extent, or at least diversifying its consumption. And yes, portraiture of this era aimed to capture the essence of the subject, his inner worth and attributes. Hainzelmann’s skills ensured Motz's likeness was perceived a certain way by the audiences of the day. Editor: It's fascinating to imagine him trying to 'be' that idealized version of himself! You can tell he must be conscious of it. I wonder what Motz himself would think if he saw it today! Curator: That's the power of portraiture; its meaning continuously shifts based on when and how we are viewing it. The intersections between the personal and the political within the history of representation – it's endlessly compelling. Editor: Agreed. Plus, those curls are still kind of fabulous, historical baggage notwithstanding. Thanks for drawing my attention to all the layers at play in this engraving!