Portret van Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz 1717

Curator: This engraving, created in 1717 by Martin Bernigeroth, offers us a glimpse into the likeness of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Editor: My first impression is one of thoughtful severity; the figure’s gaze is penetrating, almost confrontational, framed by that elaborate wig. Curator: Indeed, the very meticulousness of the engraved lines and shading constructs not just a portrait, but also a testament to the engraver's labor. One can only imagine the dedication needed to render such intricate detail. This labor reflects the period's investment in craftsmanship. Editor: From a formal point of view, observe the oval frame, echoed in the curve of the draped curtain – the artist contrasts texture and density masterfully within a limited tonal range. Semiotics might read it as containing the sitter while offering escape routes through open frame lines. Curator: That’s interesting; the placement and presentation certainly contribute to how the individual is viewed, adding levels of formality that suggest something of Leibniz’s position within societal structure, perhaps as a courtier. It also underscores the patronage system integral to artistic production at that time. Editor: Precisely. Furthering this interplay are the variations in depth achieved simply via hatching. By reducing three-dimensional cues to binary presence or absence, one foregrounds intellectual reduction! Even what would in painting be handled with color gets condensed! Curator: The reliance on inscription and typography situates it within a culture dependent on printed communication, it suggests that likeness had value extending well beyond just personal relationships or visual records. How are likenesses traded, purchased, displayed and how does this social value intersect with artistic labour. Editor: To sum up, by contrasting the figure against relatively stark ground elements, he gives shape but also weight. It becomes self-aware viewing... I admire economy that can invoke presence even in near abstraction because it speaks profoundly. Curator: Exactly; thinking materially, this is more than a simple image: this artwork acts almost like propaganda that circulated a notable and important figure's ideas or identity amongst the public. Thank you, fascinating!