Portret van Bernard de Fontenelle 1818 - 1876

Curator: We're now looking at a print titled "Portret van Bernard de Fontenelle," dating from between 1818 and 1876 and held at the Rijksmuseum. Carel Christiaan Antony Last is credited as the artist behind this engraving. Editor: There's something quite somber about the portrait, even with the ruffles. It has a determined and rather still character about it. I wonder about the paper it's printed on – it looks rather aged, doesn't it? The etching style suggests it's probably relatively mass-produced too. Curator: Indeed. The realism in the print, while attempting to depict an individual, almost makes him into a symbol of the intellectual class of that era. Consider his garb, the subtle hints of enlightenment ideals within academic art, and of course the printed medium itself - easily replicated and widely distributed. Editor: Good point. I hadn’t considered how the method of production contributes to this ‘everyman intellectual’ ideal. But tell me more, what does the choice of engraving allow in the reproduction process of imagery? Curator: The very nature of engraving lends a certain authority and precision to the image. It echoes the era's obsession with science and detailed observation, framing him as an academic. These small dots almost act like textual reproduction to enhance the dissemination of ideas. Editor: I am fascinated by the social context. The details etched— or stamped—into the metal and pressed onto paper reveal volumes. It's a form of artistic labor accessible for both producer and consumer. How revolutionary that such skill could transfer to commodity and thus wide recognition! Curator: Absolutely. The artist translates ideas through an established medium, echoing cultural memory and solidifying Bernard de Fontenelle's image as a key figure, and so on, across generations, creating lasting impression in society’s conscious and unconscious understanding. Editor: Looking at the artwork through that lens shifts the impression away from melancholy, for me, to seeing it as a bold endeavor in making imagery both symbolic and commonplace at the same time. Curator: And hopefully visitors gain insight from experiencing that bold transformation themselves.