Portret van een glimlachende man 1635 - 1636

Curator: Standing here at the Rijksmuseum, we're about to explore Wenceslaus Hollar's "Portret van een glimlachende man," dating from around 1635. It’s an intaglio print—an exquisite example of Baroque portraiture. Editor: Well, my first thought? He looks like he knows something I don't! There's a mischievous glint in his eye. Is it just me, or does his grin suggest he’s just told a terribly bad joke? Curator: I see your point. Technically, the engraving style employs incredibly fine lines to capture light and shadow, really emphasizing that sly smile. Note the intricate details in his collar and the texture of his hair, creating a surprisingly life-like representation for the period. Editor: Life-like, perhaps, but also slightly…unsettling. That’s the magic of Baroque, isn't it? That interplay of realism with an almost theatrical quality. I mean, look at how the light catches his face. It's almost like he’s lit from within, ready to burst into song...or maybe laughter. Curator: Indeed! Hollar's skill with line and texture creates that intense psychological presence. His manipulation of light and shadow guides our eye. Consider, too, that prints like these made portraits accessible to a wider audience. It democratized image-making in a way never seen before. Editor: So, this smiling man wasn't just captured; he was multiplied! Spreading his enigmatic cheer far and wide! It’s strangely comforting. Perhaps he’s smiling because he knows his likeness will travel through time, tickling the fancy of future viewers like us. Curator: Precisely! And that's where the genius lies: Hollar has created not just a portrait, but an enduring expression. Editor: He leaves us with a friendly smirk... Makes you wonder what stories that smile could tell if it could speak, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely! And isn’t that the essence of art: sparking the imagination?