Portret van Simon Bosboom 1628 - 1670

Curator: This engraving, "Portret van Simon Bosboom," likely created between 1628 and 1670 by Pieter de Jode II, strikes me immediately as a product of its time. What's your initial take, given its rather formal appearance? Editor: Well, knowing it's a portrait of an architect, I'm drawn to the fact it's a print – an engraving specifically. It feels less precious somehow, more like something that could be reproduced and circulated. How does that materiality inform our understanding of it? Curator: Precisely. Consider the function of prints at the time. Engravings allowed for wider dissemination of images and ideas. This portrait, being reproducible, moves beyond simply commemorating an individual. It speaks to the rise of a professional class, specifically the architect, and the value placed on their skill. How might the process of engraving itself contribute to the overall message? Editor: I guess because engraving is so precise and controlled, it almost elevates Bosboom’s profession, imbuing architecture with that same sense of meticulousness. But does focusing on the materials and process take away from seeing it as art? Curator: On the contrary, it enriches it! By examining the labor involved—the engraver’s skill, the printing process—we move beyond notions of singular genius and understand art as a collaborative, material endeavor, shaped by its social and economic context. Isn't there a shift occurring in the Baroque era to show artisans on par with nobility? Editor: I see your point. Considering this artwork from a materialist perspective has definitely broadened my understanding. Curator: Indeed, understanding the 'how' and 'why' something was made unlocks deeper meaning, even in a seemingly straightforward portrait.