Portret van Jacob van Mosscher 1734 - 1785

Editor: Here we have Jan Stolker’s “Portret van Jacob van Mosscher,” an engraving dating from about 1734 to 1785. There's a certain gravitas about the subject, but I'm curious about what lies beneath the surface. How do you interpret this work, especially considering the period in which it was created? Curator: Well, the first thing that strikes me is how the work engages with notions of masculinity and status in the Dutch Golden Age. The ruffled collar, the dramatic hat – these weren’t just fashion statements. How do they project a sense of power and belonging within a very specific social structure? Consider the role of portraiture at that time. It wasn't just about likeness, was it? Editor: No, definitely more than likeness. I guess it was about presenting yourself in the best possible light and demonstrating your social standing. The details in his clothing speak to that. Curator: Precisely! The material richness and elaborate detailing become a visual shorthand for economic and social privilege. Think about the power dynamics inherent in the act of creating and possessing such an image. Who had access to these modes of representation? And what does it say about those excluded? Also, don’t overlook the role of the ‘artist as a brand’. His name is boldly displayed underneath the sitter. How does that tie into an intersectional perspective, given class, social, and racial positions that come to bear here? Editor: I never considered it from that angle, the act of representation itself being tied to power and exclusion. So it's not just about who's in the portrait, but also who isn't. Curator: Exactly. It's about questioning the narratives that get amplified and those that remain unheard, and by asking ourselves those questions about images like this we might gain understanding about representation today. Editor: I will definitely carry that perspective with me. Thank you, that's changed how I see portraiture entirely.