Portret van Dirk III, graaf van Holland 1650

Curator: This is a 1650 engraving by Cornelis Visscher, titled "Portret van Dirk III, graaf van Holland"—"Portrait of Dirk III, Count of Holland." It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Woah, that's quite a formidable fellow, isn't he? Stern gaze, impressive fur trim… definitely gives off a vibe of "Don’t mess with me, I own like, half this country.” Or, maybe he's just a bit constipated? Hard to tell from engravings, really! Curator: I think we can delve a little deeper than constipation! This portrait engages with a complex historical narrative surrounding Dutch identity. Consider how the artist is consciously constructing an image of power and lineage. The inclusion of Latin text and heraldry beneath the central image underscores his noble status. The Baroque style also served to aggrandize the sitter, emphasizing his importance. Editor: Good point! And there’s something endearingly... fussy about the details, no? Like that little plume on his hat, the obsessive detailing on the fur. The engraver definitely cared! Or maybe, I wonder if Dirk had opinions. “More feather, Visscher, MORE feather!” Did rich people even say things like ‘more’ then, or did they say, you know, fancier rich person things? Curator: That is actually insightful, in a roundabout way! Think about it: the details of his clothing and accessories were deliberately chosen to signal wealth, status, and connection to a particular cultural moment. This connects to broader questions around representation and how power is performed through portraiture. Editor: Ooh, performed! I like that. It’s like Dirk III is putting on a SHOW of Dirk III-ness! All this Baroque drama... I am curious about the engraver, though. Did he BELIEVE in this "performance," or was it just another gig? Curator: It’s always a balance. Visscher likely had his own socio-political leanings, and how those are expressed or suppressed is one lens we might employ to view the portrait critically. Considering whose interests were ultimately served can illuminate the image further. Editor: Okay, okay, valid point! Still, I can’t shake the feeling that Dirk secretly loved being portrayed. Like he practiced his "noble gaze" in the mirror every morning. “Today,” he probably whispered, “the gaze of eagles!” I mean, look at me now; I could never! Curator: And on that whimsical note, let us ponder further on the ever-evolving nature of portraiture and identity. Editor: Yeah. Makes you think… about haircuts, mostly. He clearly hasn't!