Portret van Erdmann Neumeister op 83-jarige leeftijd 1753 - 1754

Curator: Here we have Christian Fritzsch's "Portret van Erdmann Neumeister op 83-jarige leeftijd," an engraving made around 1753-1754. What's your first impression? Editor: Stately! He looks comfortable in his role and in his own skin. The engraving has this wonderful density to it, a world of tiny lines creating weight and presence. Almost photographic. Curator: Fritzsch was a master engraver, working during a period where printmaking was essential for disseminating images and information. Neumeister, as the inscription tells us, was a pastor at the Church of St. James in Hamburg. He’s presented with symbols of his profession - look at those books. Editor: And the inscription is almost part of the artwork, really deliberately placed! Knowing he’s a pastor contextualizes that rather severe ruff. It really frames his face, which is incredibly expressive. Curator: His hand gestures are intriguing, too, don't you think? Almost as if he’s giving a benediction, or in the midst of a thoughtful point. Editor: Right! It positions him as a figure of authority and knowledge. I can’t help thinking, what kinds of sermons did he preach? How did he wield that power within his community, and who might have been excluded or marginalized by it? I think the history of the Church must be examined with very critical and decolonizing perspectives. Curator: It’s interesting to consider the power dynamics at play, for sure. There's something deeply human in the slight unevenness of his smile. It is capturing something real! I find the engraving rather touching. There's a vulnerability peeking through the official presentation. Editor: I agree, but what resonates most for me is thinking about all those tiny lines cut by Fritzsch's hand—each one a decision, a labor of love almost. It mirrors, perhaps, the labor involved in constructing identity and authority. A thoughtful commentary on how roles are constructed and the labor they require of those who must embody them. Curator: What a rich exchange! The combination of the technique and the portrait gives me the space for quiet reflection. Thank you. Editor: Yes, it offers a vital jumping-off point for larger conversations on history, identity, and power. I am grateful for your thoughtful reflections.