Pierre de Montarsis c. 17th century

Curator: A rather somber affair, wouldn't you say? The chiaroscuro is quite pronounced, lending a dramatic air to the sitter. Editor: Indeed. Here we have Gérard Edelinck's portrait of Pierre de Montarsis, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a print, rendered with considerable skill. The dimensions of the image itself are approximately 34 by 28 centimeters. Curator: The gaze is averted, thoughtful perhaps, and the arrangement of forms—the cascading wig, the open book—creates a dynamic tension across the surface. Editor: It certainly captures the intellectual milieu of the period; the open book serving as a symbol of Montarsis's engagement with knowledge and learning. The inscription at the bottom also speaks to the social and cultural context of artistic patronage. Curator: A solid example of portraiture from the era, carefully balanced in tone and composition. Editor: Yes, a fascinating artifact, offering insights into both artistic technique and the social life of its time.