Desjardins, Marinus van den Bogaert, called c. 17th century

Curator: This is Gérard Edelinck's portrait of Marinus van den Bogaert Desjardins, held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. The absence of a precise date only adds to its mystique. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the theatricality. It's Baroque drama in monochrome! The lion's head, the billowing drapery, the almost defiant hand gesture... Curator: Absolutely, it's a performance of status and artistry. The lion alludes to Desjardins' skill as a sculptor, taming the wildness of raw material into something majestic. Editor: And the gaze! It's as if he's daring us to question his genius. Lions and curly hair usually suggests power. Curator: Perhaps. Or maybe it's a commentary on the artist's role as a creator, shaping and molding not just stone, but also public perception. Editor: It's a carefully constructed image, every element designed to convey a specific message about the sitter. A lasting statement about artistic identity. Curator: Precisely. It still speaks volumes about the power of the artist to craft not just sculptures, but also their own image.