Portret van een jongen 1824 - 1864

Curator: Examining "Portret van een jongen," an etching made sometime between 1824 and 1864 by Huib van Hove Bz, currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum, reveals more than just an image; it's a document of labour and material. Editor: Yes, looking closely, the etching feels quite raw. What exactly can we interpret, paying specific attention to its creation and materials? Curator: The key lies in the etching process itself. Think of the labour involved, the hand guiding the needle across the plate. This is where materiality truly shines. The marks, seemingly simple, expose a complex dance between human effort and the resistance of the materials involved. Does this production history affect how we perceive the boy depicted? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it like that. So, by focusing on the etching, we’re not just looking at a portrait, but a record of production. What I'm wondering is, can an awareness of that making change how we think about it? Curator: Precisely. This print was not merely designed to convey information; it involved intense production mediated by industrial advances. Editor: Understanding the printmaking process sheds light on this seemingly straightforward image and has broadened my understanding significantly! Curator: Mine too, and hopefully that of our listeners as well. Seeing art as embedded within production processes provides tangible and relevant access to works we thought we already knew.