Portret van Caspar Thomann 1731 - 1788

Editor: Here we have "Portret van Caspar Thomann," created between 1731 and 1788 by Sebastian Walch, using drawing and printmaking techniques. It strikes me as quite formal, a window into a very specific moment and person. What draws your eye to this particular portrait? Curator: It’s the stillness, isn't it? He’s framed within that stone-like border, peering out as though he has a secret. I'm really drawn to how Walch captured the texture of his beard and the light in his eyes using pen and graphite, transforming a mere likeness into a contemplation on age and wisdom. Have you noticed the escutcheon just below? Editor: Vaguely, a shield... yes! I hadn’t really given it a good look. Curator: Notice the violin. Perhaps Thomann was a lover of music or even a patron of the arts? Or maybe the violin carries a deeper symbolism related to harmony or social standing at that time. Prints like these often served multiple purposes – commemoration, status, and connection to broader social and intellectual currents. Editor: So, more than just a picture; it’s like a little biography, a symbol... a social statement. I am suprised that even an engraver uses so many possibilities! It gives a different perspective, for sure. Curator: Exactly! It makes you think about the person, not just the image. Who was Caspar Thomann, and what was important to him? Art always poses more questions than it answers. Editor: True. I walked in seeing just a portrait, and now I am contemplating a man's life! Thanks for guiding my observation today!