Portret van Demevin 1691

Curator: Oh, there's an intriguing smile! Is that… gleeful defiance I see? Editor: This is a portrait of Demevin, engraved by Jacob Gole in 1691. You can see it at the Rijksmuseum. He was Intendant of Rochefort, a French naval port, and lost his position for being overzealous in persecuting, well, someone. Curator: Right, I see the fleur-de-lis stitched onto his garment – and what’s that hanging around his neck, a crucifix intertwined with prayer beads? It certainly clashes with that… unrepentant grin! The lines etched around his eyes tell tales, don't they? This wasn't a man who suffered in silence. Editor: Absolutely. And notice how Gole, the artist, uses those incredibly fine lines, that was a hallmark of Baroque portrait engravings. He manages to convey both the physical details – the sparse hair, the deep wrinkles – and a palpable sense of his inner state. That roundel almost feels like a stage, highlighting his, shall we say, complicated role? Curator: Complicated is… an understatement. Look at the inscription at the bottom – poetry, almost! "Naval affairs concerned me less than conversion. But by pushing my passion too far, I caused my own ruin." So he was more interested in religious conversion than, you know, naval logistics! Editor: It’s fascinating, isn’t it? He presents himself, through the portrait and the accompanying text, as someone driven by faith, even to his own detriment. The crucifix suggests devoutness but is there, perhaps, a sense of martyrdom attached to it? Curator: Or perhaps Gole’s letting us in on Demevin's self-deception? That smile suggests cunning, as if he truly believed he was justified. And Gole seems determined to show all sides, allowing you to see his faults. I suppose these layers add depth, more ambiguity to his depiction. It transcends simple mockery. Editor: Yes, I think what makes this engraving so striking is that interplay between what we think we know about him – a religious zealot who overstepped – and the enigmatic figure captured in Gole’s precise lines. There's more than a hint of arrogance. A fascinating snapshot of a man undone by his own conviction. Curator: An etching brimming with hubris! I am left pondering whether it is a testament to faith, self-serving arrogance, or merely an early account of good intentions gone astray. Editor: And an exquisite reminder that portraits aren't just about appearances. This really gets under the skin.