Man leest de krant met een kaars c. 1775

Editor: So, this is “Man leest de krant met een kaars,” or "Man Reading the Newspaper with a Candle," created around 1775 by an anonymous artist. It's an engraving currently residing at the Rijksmuseum. The scene feels very intimate, almost secretive, yet there's something satirical about the way the man is portrayed. What's your take on this peculiar portrait? Curator: Peculiar is right! It's as if we've stumbled upon a clandestine meeting in someone's private study. This piece really sparks my imagination because it reflects the turbulent nature of the era. Look how he strains to read by candlelight; there's a desperate need for information. The engraving captures a thirst for news during a period rife with political intrigue, perhaps even revolution! And that exaggerated silhouette... what do you make of it? Editor: Well, his face is almost grotesque, especially his nose and the way the light emphasizes his wrinkles. It definitely adds to the caricature aspect. It’s as if the artist wanted to reveal a hidden truth about this person, beyond the surface. Curator: Precisely! Perhaps the artist is making a statement about the intellectual elite and their often self-absorbed pursuit of knowledge. It also has echoes of the Dutch Golden Age—remember all those candlelit scenes by Rembrandt, only twisted here to mock its subject? Do you think that the soft Baroque style clashes with the biting caricature? Editor: Now that you mention it, the flowing lines and shading give it a certain elegance, but the subject matter pulls it in a completely different direction. It's unsettling in a way, which probably adds to its impact. Curator: Absolutely. The tension between style and subject matter creates an intriguing complexity. It makes us question what the artist really thought about knowledge, power, and the individuals who sought it. What a curious commentary captured in a simple engraving! Editor: It really does put a different spin on the whole "reading by candlelight" aesthetic. I'll definitely look at these types of portraits with fresh eyes now.