Twee ovale omlijstingen 1768

Curator: Right, let's spend a moment with this fascinating print, "Twee ovale omlijstingen," or "Two Oval Frames," created around 1768 by P.J. Bertren. You'll find it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My immediate thought is delicate ornamentation! A gentle baroque flourish frozen on the page. There’s almost a breathy quality to the engraved lines. Curator: Indeed! Bertren meticulously crafted these designs as potential frames for jewels and portraits. He employed drawing and engraving on paper to showcase two oval frame variations. The upper one is adorned with ribbons and what appears to be foliage, and at the very bottom you’ll notice some intricate initials at the bottom of the frame. The lower frame echoes this, but includes delicate florals. Editor: Thinking about the materials… Paper, ink, the tools used to etch those lines—there's a whole world of craft implied in these designs. What social context gave rise to these decorative frames? Curator: Absolutely! These were not just idle doodles. They reflect a society that relished detail, the burgeoning jewelry and portrait industries, and the growing accessibility of these goods. Think about the craftsman, hunched over their worktable, painstakingly carving these fine lines… Editor: I am thinking of what could be placed within, something to enshrine... It is not only ornamental but it almost gives it sacredness. Curator: The baroque flair also communicates power and elegance, right? This frame elevates its contents to something more important than what it is holding… Do you imagine these ended up encasing grand family portraits, or precious stones destined for royalty? Editor: Or perhaps, humble keepsakes imbued with great personal value! Maybe it was made not only to be admired but also used… There are always alternatives if you move away from only royalty! Curator: That’s the beauty, isn’t it? These frames, these vessels of potential, are able to mean so much. They give people like us a portal to all possibilities of imagination. Editor: Ultimately, Bertren’s engravings point us towards understanding artistry as both process and purpose.