Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have Étienne Ficquet's engraving of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s a bit severe, isn’t it? That ruff seems like a cage, and the steely gaze… definitely a man who knows how to command. Curator: The printmaking process itself is interesting; look at the fine lines Ficquet used. The labor involved in creating such detail, replicating portraits for wider distribution, speaks to the social function of art at the time. Editor: I see the social function, sure, but there's also a strange intimacy in such meticulous work, don't you think? As if the artist is trying to truly *know* Farnese, to capture something beyond just his rank. Curator: Absolutely. The material reality of the print connects us to the economic and political landscape of portraiture, while the artistic skill invites a more personal engagement. Editor: It's a fascinating tension, isn't it? The public image and the private man, all captured in ink.