Portret van Jan Coenraad Koopman c. 1851 - 1883

Editor: Here we have a print entitled "Portrait of Jan Coenraad Koopman" dating from approximately 1851 to 1883, by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister. It’s an engraving and very detailed. It's so meticulously rendered; the man's awards really stand out. What do you see in this piece from a formalist perspective? Curator: The first element that commands attention is undoubtedly the complex interplay of lines and tonal gradations. Consider the precision with which Hoffmeister renders the sitter's features, and note also the masterful application of hatching and cross-hatching to create volume and depth, thus giving the impression of robust three-dimensionality on an essentially two-dimensional surface. Note how light defines form, with a clear attention to detail. Editor: So it’s about appreciating the lines and how they work together. Does the sitter’s expression come into it at all? Curator: While the countenance itself possesses a certain narrative quality, our concern, from a purely formalist position, remains riveted on the manipulation of artistic techniques. Notice the deliberate contrast between the stark formality of the man’s attire and the subtle undulations within the engraved lines forming the face, creating tension between rigid social roles and fleeting emotions. Editor: So even the face is just another element in the larger composition. I never thought about it like that before. I’ve learned so much by considering how the form and technique dictate the message, even more so than what is actually portrayed. Curator: Precisely. And what a wonderful opportunity to consider these concepts.