Portret van Johannes Jacobus Wissenbach 1654

Curator: This engraving from 1654 by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger is titled "Portret van Johannes Jacobus Wissenbach" and resides here at the Rijksmuseum. It presents a formal, oval portrait of a learned man. Editor: Gosh, he looks rather… severe, doesn’t he? The tightly controlled lines of the engraving give him this intense, intellectual aura. It's impressive how much expression is captured within this monochrome medium. The looping font and overall tone give an impression of quiet scholarly obsession. Curator: Indeed. The print medium itself is crucial. Engravings like this, produced in multiples, facilitated the dissemination of Wissenbach’s image and, by extension, his professional status as a professor. The material process here is one of reproduction, intended for a wider consumption beyond the elite. It’s a technology that democratizes access. Editor: I get that, but beyond the production method, there’s something deeply personal at play here. The subtle gradations of shadow, the almost-knowing glint in his eye... There is an awareness. It feels like more than just a document. It’s a glimpse into a very specific individual, immortalized in ink. Curator: But even that “glimpse” is constructed through deliberate techniques of the engraving process. The hatching, the varying line weights...these aren't just representations of Wissenbach’s features, but strategic deployments of the medium to convey character and status. Remember, these prints often circulated within specific intellectual and social circles. What was "said" about the subject, as constructed by the materials and processes used, mattered intensely. Editor: That's such a grounded perspective... and a valid point, of course. All the same, I find that I'm captivated by the intimate scale and intensity present in the face looking back. You could almost invent a whole other human by staring into those engraved lines long enough. Curator: It’s a powerful image to think through in terms of its social use and making; both seem quite entangled. Editor: A captivating way to view his making. It adds a layer of consideration to the human feel.