Portret van Artus Quellinus 1655 - 1668

Curator: Looking at this engraving, dated from around 1655 to 1668, it presents a "Portret van Artus Quellinus," currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It's believed to be by Hubert Quellinus. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how serene the sitter's gaze is despite the intricate detail surrounding him. There’s a real calmness. Curator: It’s a testament to the craft of engraving, isn’t it? Consider the labour involved, the meticulous process of etching those fine lines. This piece represents not just a likeness but a feat of skilled artisanship. It really blurs the lines between art and craft. Editor: Absolutely. And notice how the surrounding ornamentation, almost aggressively Baroque, serves to emphasize that serenity. The flowing wreath design creates an oval frame around the sitter which carries echoes of laurel wreaths, symbolising artistry and honour. Is the overall effect celebrating not just the man but the cultural importance of his profession? Curator: That's a crucial point. Hubert Quellinus wasn't just making an image, but positioning his relative, Artus Quellinus, as a figure of cultural significance. The act of producing such a portrait in engraving was likely restricted due to printing standards of the era.. This raises interesting questions about access and distribution of images in 17th-century Dutch society. Editor: I also find it interesting to analyze what seems familiar in this imagery, and consider the overall message the image holds within Dutch visual culture. I’m drawn to the hands especially, subtly gesturing, perhaps a tool would have made a potent reference. Curator: I agree that those subtle elements likely added further symbolic weight, offering nuanced insights into his status. Editor: It gives us a view not only into Artus Quellinus as a person but as a signifier within his time and within the evolving patterns of symbols associated with visual artists. It is a really rich example of period memory at play in the artistic creation. Curator: It truly highlights the convergence of process, status, and skill inherent in creating images. It has certainly given me a deeper appreciation for the intersection of artisanship and portraiture of that time. Editor: Yes, for me too. Now I'm taking away new questions and understandings regarding the subtle symbols. It is powerful what this portrait shares about itself through details in the art style itself.