Bust of a Young Man in Profile, Facing Right c. 17th century

Curator: Jan Lievens, a contemporary of Rembrandt, created this understated yet powerful etching, titled "Bust of a Young Man in Profile, Facing Right." Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the hair! It’s almost a wild halo, offsetting the rather stern and stoic profile. Curator: Indeed. Lievens was a master of capturing texture, wasn't he? The way he uses line to suggest the play of light on the hair is quite remarkable, and it is a testament to his skill with the etching needle. But beyond the technical virtuosity, it suggests something about the subject's inner life. Editor: Absolutely. It makes me wonder, was this a study of a specific person, or more of a type? It almost feels like a theatrical character study, that captures a feeling. Curator: It's unsigned, which always opens up new questions. It is likely a study of a model, maybe even himself at a young age. Editor: It’s the combination of the man's severe expression with the almost bohemian wildness of his hair. I find that tension so compelling. Curator: It reminds me that behind every portrait, lies a story, whether real or imagined. Editor: Absolutely. This piece gives me much to contemplate.