Portret van Johann Georg Büdner 1670 - 1737

Editor: We're looking at a print entitled "Portret van Johann Georg Büdner" by Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang, made sometime between 1670 and 1737. It's crafted with etching and engraving on paper, creating an old engraving style. The starkness of the print gives it a rather severe mood. What formal elements stand out to you? Curator: Initially, observe the contrast in textures and tones. The circular frame against the rectangular base creates a formal tension. How does the artist's deployment of line quality influence your perception? Editor: The crisp lines give it a precise, almost clinical feel, but they also create interesting patterns in the clothing and hair. The texture seems implied, created purely through the density and direction of these lines. How does the formal construction reflect Baroque sensibilities? Curator: Consider the ornate lettering circling the portrait, the calculated balance between light and shadow, the meticulous detail in the sitter’s ruff. These are distinctly Baroque elements, prioritizing embellishment and detail. Does the medium influence your reading? Editor: Definitely. Knowing it’s a print makes me think about the accessibility of the image at the time. Its replication speaks to a purpose beyond just aesthetics; it served a societal function. Now I am rethinking my initial reaction and starting to question how it fits within that period and its function, and wondering where that clinical feeling stems from. Thank you for that observation! Curator: And the act of considering print as both art and object enhances our formal appreciation. I also gleaned some fresh thoughts by viewing this with you today.