Voor de spiegel c. 1899

Curator: Looking at "Before the Mirror," a print by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, circa 1899, presently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. The immediate impact is the sheer starkness of the ink against the paper. Editor: There’s a certain intimacy too, wouldn't you say? The composition, with the woman in her corset adjusting her hair, feels very private, almost like we’re intruding. Curator: Precisely. The mirror motif itself has centuries of symbolism attached, reflecting not just physical appearance but the soul, self-awareness, vanity. De Mesquita seems interested in the psychological tension between the outward presentation and the internal gaze. Editor: The stark, almost crude use of black ink is fascinating to me. It really flattens the image, and it accentuates the texture of the print itself. Was this engraving typical for the period, in terms of material use? Curator: Actually, the emphasis on the medium and bold lines ties in neatly with the Symbolist movement prevalent at the time. There's an exploration of internal worlds rendered through external, somewhat abstracted forms. Notice how her reflection seems somewhat ghostlike and the mirror itself is oddly distorted. The technique helps externalize inner conflict, if you will. Editor: I can't help but think of the social implications here as well. The corset speaks volumes. What statement did it convey? How did women use this item and what messages do the materials send to an audience viewing the portrait? The engraving feels inherently intertwined with social realities that existed within a society driven by image. Curator: Indeed. It highlights how societal constraints manifest physically. And beyond mere repression, perhaps also agency? She is, after all, preparing herself. Editor: To perform the role society expects? To rebel against those constraints? Curator: Or simply to confront herself. The symbolism provides many perspectives. The beauty, really, lies in the possibility of simultaneous, coexisting meanings. Editor: Agreed, looking at "Before the Mirror," I’m struck again by the simple brilliance of its execution. Its starkness is an asset in itself. Curator: The piece reveals an engagement with internal experience and invites reflection upon selfhood in its multiple forms.