Portret van Georg I Pömer 1657 - 1720

Editor: This is a portrait of Georg I Pömer, an engraving made sometime between 1657 and 1720 by Johann Alexander Böner. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me is how meticulously detailed the face is, contrasting with the almost symbolic surrounding elements. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It does invite a good look, doesn't it? For me, it’s the combination of personal statement and historical marker that gets the juices flowing. We've got Georg himself, presented with a stoic gaze, framed by these almost theatrical heraldic emblems. They speak of family, status, legacy—the things people in portraits of this era cared about deeply. I’m drawn to the ruff. So elaborate! And that fur stole… What does it evoke in you? Editor: A sense of formality, definitely. Almost like a uniform of power. Curator: Exactly! Böner captures not just a likeness but a performance of identity. Look at the sword hilt. It's all about controlled, calculated display. And that's what fascinates me – the blurring of the man and the mask, which is as relevant today as it was then. In a way, we're all curators of our own images. Do you think Georg would have Instagrammed this? Editor: (laughs) Maybe! He certainly seems like he was very aware of his image. I hadn’t thought about the parallels with modern image construction. Curator: Art’s about conversations across time. It looks different, but the themes, the questions... they echo. Glad we listened to this engraving's whisperings together!