Imaginary portrait head of a man in a feathered hat; from the series of 22 imaginary portrait heads after Giovanni Battista Piazzetta 1725 - 1755

Editor: So, this is "Imaginary portrait head of a man in a feathered hat," created between 1725 and 1755 by Johann Lorenz Haid. It’s a colored pencil drawing, though the uniform blue hue almost gives it a monochromatic, dreamlike quality. I’m struck by the man's intense gaze. What do you make of his expression, and how does it influence your reading of the work? Curator: That penetrating stare definitely grabs you, doesn't it? Almost accusatory! It’s as if he’s peering into your soul. The blue coloring is fascinating – I like to think of it as a kind of emotional filter, cooling down what might otherwise be interpreted as anger or arrogance. Instead, it suggests something more contemplative, maybe even melancholy lurking beneath the surface. And consider the hat. That feathery plume is a theatrical flourish. Does it hint at performativity, a mask behind which this person hides? Editor: That's interesting, I didn't see the theatricality before. Do you think Haid intended to create this sense of mystery? Curator: Maybe. The ‘imaginary’ element of the portrait frees Haid to play with expectation and character. He's not bound by likeness, allowing imagination to roam. We're left with tantalizing fragments, clues if you like, with which we weave our own narrative. Think about the ruffled collar against the severity of the gaze. Contradiction. Conflict. Isn't it delicious? Editor: I can certainly appreciate that now! The conflicting elements you pointed out really do invite a personal story, beyond just observation. It makes me see art’s potential in new ways. Curator: Exactly. Art’s all about perspective. Haid gives us the prompt, but we write the poem.