Cornelis van Clève, sculptor 1714

Editor: Here we see a print of Cornelis van Clève, sculptor, by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly. It feels very formal and posed. What's the story here, what do you see in it? Curator: It's interesting to consider the social context. Prints like these were often commissioned to elevate the status of the sitter. How does framing Van Clève in this classical bust format contribute to that elevation, do you think? Editor: I guess it lends him authority, connecting him to the tradition of great artists and thinkers. Curator: Precisely. And think about the role of the Académie Royale, which shaped artistic taste and provided patronage. De Poilly was Director, which makes this a political statement. Editor: So it's not just a portrait, it's about power and influence. Curator: Exactly. Reflecting on that dynamic makes us question whose story is being told and why.