Portret van Balthasar Gockel 1646

Curator: This is a portrait of Balthasar Gockel, dating back to 1646. The artist here is Mättheus Rembold, who created it using the printmaking technique of engraving. Editor: The lines! There’s something incredibly precise about the etching. It feels…almost like a spiderweb spun with ink. What was the intention here? Decoration or depiction, do you think? Curator: Well, given that this is a portrait, depiction is likely the primary goal. The artist really seems focused on capturing Gockel’s likeness—his thoughtful gaze, the texture of his beard, and, interestingly, his hands clasped around that book. We need to think about the way the printing technology of the era shapes that intent, and how the design supports the image itself. Editor: Speaking of, that book looks like it’s heavily used, maybe a personal book of scriptures? And consider the way Gockel's portrayed: he's grounded and studious, perhaps deliberately to reflect those societal expectations? He presents as if in the center of an elaborate tapestry, I feel there is great artistry behind every small material decision made in every stroke and flourish, and its role is far more than superficial! Curator: Yes, there’s a great sense of gravity. You get a feel for the time and care involved, even looking at it today. Look at how the collar, so starched and ornate, is rendered with almost unbelievable precision—then zoom out and consider its purpose in making Gockel important. There are layers of design to emphasize both social hierarchy and to suggest interior life! Editor: This piece makes me ponder how an item that was probably pretty widespread in its time would change our perception if we held the block itself in our hand or saw it cut, inked, and impressed! In that spirit of making, it does invite you to linger in front of it. Curator: I find that in viewing this image I am seeing Gockel, his values and the technology around how he was brought to me are deeply connected in what I am seeing. It's almost…a visual meditation, that connects this historical figure and the image to now. Editor: Exactly! Material choices are always a story about more than just art; it's a historical mirror of craft, societal worth, and value for consumption.