Mask of a Bald Man with Tufty Sideburns, from Divers Masques 1630 - 1650

Editor: Right, let's dive in. Here we have Françoise Chauveau's etching and engraving, "Mask of a Bald Man with Tufty Sideburns, from Divers Masques," created sometime between 1630 and 1650. I'm immediately struck by the… weariness in this face. What do you see, looking at him? Curator: Weariness, absolutely. And maybe a dash of resignation? The piece feels intimate, like a stolen glance at someone unguarded. For me, it whispers of stories etched – literally – onto the face by time. It is almost a memento mori, that the ravages of time affects everyone, yet also capturing that person's specific response to existence. He stares back; are we sure we want to know his story? I wonder, what stories do you think he carries, the man behind the mask, as it were? Editor: That's such a compelling idea! Perhaps a life of quiet contemplation, maybe some hardship etched alongside the wrinkles? Given its period, could there be a link to theatre or specific characters of the time? The "mask" in the title makes me wonder. Curator: Exactly! "Divers Masques" suggests theatrical archetypes, explorations of character. This mask could be melancholic, perhaps, even comedic in its exaggerated features - that is an irony that can be present simultaneously. Imagine him stepping onto a stage, embodying a stock character. What role do you think he'd play best? Editor: Maybe a wise old fool, or a disillusioned philosopher! I hadn’t considered the humour until now. It adds another layer. Curator: And the beauty of etching is that it can be both delicate and incredibly detailed, mirroring the subject. What I really want to know, how does it make you feel? Editor: It evokes empathy, but also a sense of distance, knowing I'll never truly know his thoughts, what created the character. It seems the work captures what is beautiful in impermanence, or vice versa. Thanks! I see him very differently now! Curator: Exactly! And that is the journey we've both embarked on in considering him together - our impressions changing as our feelings engage with what we see, with what we now understand. A wonderful work to experience with you!