Portret van Alberico da Barbiano 1642 - 1704

Curator: Here we have a striking engraving, "Portret van Alberico da Barbiano," dating roughly between 1642 and 1704, attributed to Georges Tasnière. It captures, in meticulous detail, a portrait framed within an oval of laurel. Editor: My initial thought is it's formal but feels… surprisingly playful. Is it the hat? It has this "costume party" quality despite the armor and stern profile. Curator: Interesting! The "costume party" feeling, as you call it, might stem from the Baroque love for drama. The detailed hatching and the somewhat idealized portrayal certainly play a role. Observe how the artist renders the texture of the fabric in his cap. Editor: The precision of line is incredible! And I am fascinated with the interplay between the geometric shield with some illegible shapes on the bottom of the frame and the very expressive ribbons above the character’s head, full of dynamism! But does this level of detail risk losing a certain emotional depth, or is it meant to underscore Da Barbiano’s significance as a historical figure? Curator: That's the crux of it, isn't it? The formality serves to monumentalize. We’re not necessarily invited into his inner world, but rather asked to acknowledge his status. It invites contemplation on themes of power, duty and liberation from tyranny. Editor: Power certainly seems to be the central idea. The gaze directed away from the viewer also gives an insight on the pride of the character portrayed. It also gives this piece a "frozen-in-time" sentiment which reflects the intention of immortality that usually surrounds power representations of important figures throughout time. I must admit it also somehow gives me the shivers. Curator: A portrait frozen in time. I feel that very acutely looking at this work, yes. Editor: It's fascinating how a few lines etched into metal can still evoke such strong feelings after centuries. A curious paradox!