Portret van Bernardus van Schendel Possibly 1698

This is an undated portrait of Bernardus van Schendel, created by an anonymous artist, it has been rendered with graphite. The inscription around the edge of the oval tells us Bernardus was a painter from Mesopotamia who resided in Harlem in 1698. Consider the way identity and history come together in this small work. What does it mean to be a painter from Mesopotamia – a region with a long and rich artistic history – now living in Harlem? We can't know for sure. I am drawn to his slightly amused, knowing glance. His curly hair suggests an elevated social status. The softness of the graphite lends an intimate quality to the portrait, as if we're being given a private glimpse into his life. The portrait offers a moment to reflect on the multifaceted nature of identity, and the stories we carry within us.