Fotoreproductie van een lithografisch portret van Richard Wagner 1870 - 1890

Editor: So, here we have a photo reproduction of a lithographic portrait of Richard Wagner, created sometime between 1870 and 1890. The paper is aged, a warm sepia tone. It definitely gives off a somber, almost imposing vibe. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Imposing is a good word for it! There's a gravity there, isn't there? A weight that comes, perhaps, from knowing Wagner's music, its epic scope and intensity. But beyond that, look at the light. See how it sculpts his face, emphasizing the furrow of his brow, the set of his jaw? It speaks to a man of great conviction, wouldn’t you agree? And that intense stare. Do you think he would approve of seeing his portrait so readily available today? Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought about it in terms of conviction, more as… well, severity maybe. Do you think the photographer – or the lithographer before them – was trying to project that deliberately? Was that the image Wagner wanted to project? Curator: Absolutely. It’s a carefully constructed image, no doubt. Think about the context: this was an era of carefully cultivated celebrity. These images were often about crafting a persona as much as capturing a likeness. And Wagner was certainly a master of self-promotion! He was designing himself, not just allowing himself to be captured. Editor: So, it’s as much Wagner's creation as anyone else’s? A fascinating thought. This gives me a completely different view to the piece now. Curator: Exactly! It’s a collaboration across time, really.