Portret van George Friedrich Goetz 1795

Editor: This is "Portrait of George Friedrich Goetz", made around 1795 by Johann Gottfried Schmidt. It's an engraving. I find its neat, contained composition oddly…stark. What do you make of it? Curator: Stark is a good word. Almost clinical, wouldn’t you say? The circular frame constricts him, as if presenting a specimen. And yet, the fine lines of the engraving are exquisitely delicate, hinting at a hidden tenderness. The Neoclassical era favoured order and reason, yet these portraits often possess a strangely introspective quality. Do you feel you can perceive his inner self through this carefully constructed image? Editor: Introspective, yes! Like he’s thinking, but maybe not sharing those thoughts. What was the context for making these kinds of portraits, so…buttoned-up? Curator: In the late 18th century, printmaking was booming. It was a way to disseminate images widely, creating a sort of accessible celebrity culture – though of course, only accessible to those with some means! The sitter, Goetz, seems to be someone of note, judging by the fact that he warranted a portrait, immortalized in ink. Imagine the conversations it sparked over brandy in drawing rooms! Though whether those conversations touched on his ‘inner self’…that's another question. What do you think? Editor: So, it's a little glimpse into a particular time and place and what it valued - or at least, wanted to project it valued! Thank you for untangling all that! Curator: My pleasure. Now, let's go and see what those revolutionary French were up to at this time. That should be… revealing!