Portret van François-Théodore de Nesmond after 1640

Curator: Here we see an engraving made after 1640, titled "Portret van François-Théodore de Nesmond." It’s housed right here at the Rijksmuseum and is attributed to an anonymous artist. Editor: Oh, the details! Even in an engraving, I can almost feel the texture of the fur stole. There's a softness to the man’s face that the artist really captured. The eyes are deep and, dare I say, a bit mischievous? Curator: Absolutely. When considering this portrait, it's crucial to consider the function of portraiture within 17th-century social structures. Portraits weren't just about likeness; they were performative statements of status, power, and even morality. A portrait such as this, with the subject donned in fine furs, certainly communicates a degree of wealth and importance, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, but that knowing look almost undermines the pomp, don’t you think? It suggests the subject knows how to play the game of status while not taking it all too seriously. It makes him feel accessible, which is surprising in a formal Baroque piece. It’s a delicious contradiction. Curator: The fact it's an engraving makes its own statement, however. The medium speaks to a certain level of access, compared to a painting, allowing for the wider dissemination of Nesmond's image, contributing to the construction and reinforcement of his social persona beyond the elite circles of the court. Editor: True! There’s also an odd sort of modern quality to it – the stark lines, the unadorned background. Almost feels contemporary, you know? Like something you’d see in a hip magazine. Curator: Well, if we view Baroque art through the lens of contemporary portrait theory, this piece underscores the fluidity of identity. It captures a tension between constructed presentation and perhaps a hint of individual personality, challenging traditional notions of static representation and inherited status. Editor: Makes you wonder about the real man behind that fur collar, doesn’t it? Maybe he was a bit of a rogue, even. Adds a whole new dimension. Curator: It invites that curiosity. Perhaps this portrait pushes us to consider the limitations inherent in any single image in capturing the totality of a person. Editor: Right. Maybe that playful look is just a mask. I guess every work, every subject, is a mystery with layers we’re left to ponder, eh?