Charles, Duc de Berry c. 17th century

Curator: Let's discuss this engraving of "Charles, Duc de Berry" by Gérard Edelinck. The print is housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, and while the exact date of its creation remains unspecified, Edelinck lived between 1640 and later, so we can place it historically with some certainty. Editor: Ah, yes! My first thought is… dramatic! The way the light catches the curls. But underneath, I feel this strange… vulnerability? Curator: It's interesting that you pick up on that vulnerability. Consider the social structures of the time; this portrait aimed to project power and lineage, yet the subject's youth and posture might inadvertently reveal the immense pressures placed upon young royals. Editor: Exactly! It’s like a delicate dance between what’s shown and what’s hidden. The engraver’s skill captures every wisp of hair, every fold of fabric, yet the eyes… they hint at something more complicated. Almost a fragile hope. Curator: Indeed, and when we consider the broader context of 17th-century French court life, the portrait also speaks to the era's obsession with appearances and the construction of identity through art. Editor: A fascinating and complex piece when you look beneath the surface, no? It’s got me thinking about the masks we wear today and the pressures we put on each other. Curator: Absolutely, a portrait that continues to resonate across centuries.