Portrait of Nicolaas Willem op den Hooff, Physician and Translator in Amsterdam 1732 - 1771

Curator: Well now, doesn’t this little drawing, “Portrait of Nicolaas Willem op den Hooff” by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, have a story to whisper? Quinkhard was quite the name then, capturing Amsterdam’s well-to-do with charcoal. What grabs you first about this physician’s likeness, shall we say, Emily? Editor: The fact that it's a charcoal drawing, yet it has such delicate details, is interesting. The subject is almost confrontational with his direct gaze. What stands out to you in this work, Professor? Curator: It's that precise tension you mentioned. The cool directness set within such elaborate finery and those formal expectations – it feels like staring into a coded dream! There's an undercurrent, wouldn't you agree, of someone more interesting lurking beneath the wig and the jacket? What secrets do you imagine this translator held? Editor: I hadn't thought of that, but now you mention it, there *is* something in the eyes... like he’s amused by something we can’t see. Or maybe he knows a better translation! Do you think Quinkhard was trying to capture that internal world, even within the constraints of a formal portrait? Curator: Constraints, darlings, are merely provocations in the hands of an artist! Consider the texture he achieves with simple charcoal—the almost palpable quality of silk and powdered hair. Isn't that the real magic? A portal into a person and a moment using next to nothing! This translation...is very subtle indeed. And you feel that, too, right? Editor: Absolutely, that sensitivity shines through. Thanks, I'll never look at charcoal the same way again. Curator: My darling girl, I only hope to muddy every clarity, until new wonders appear for us!