Portrait of Justinian von Holzhausen c. 1735 - 1745

Curator: This painting, housed here at the Städel Museum, is a portrait of Justinian von Holzhausen, dating to around 1735 to 1745. It is done in oil. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly amiable for a formal portrait. Look at that almost amused expression! Is it just me, or does he look like he's about to share a delicious secret? The warmth of the red fabric and the twinkle in his eye—it all reads as very human. Curator: Yes, it departs a bit from the stern conventions of Baroque portraiture, doesn't it? Typically, those in portraits wished to convey their status or power, perhaps through imposing scale or austere symbolism. Yet, observe the buttons: they echo wealth and sophistication while still presenting a subtle nod to societal standards. He wears his wealth; it does not wear him. Editor: Absolutely. The textures—the sheen of those buttons, the almost conversational swirl of the wig—they draw you in. Also, there is the very relaxed gesture of his hand, resting almost casually over the draped red fabric. There’s a dynamic energy; it feels less like a static presentation and more like a brief pause in a longer conversation. It avoids that common stiff posture of formality we often see! Curator: Precisely. While some may interpret the relative simplicity of the dark background as lacking the allegorical complexities prevalent in other baroque works, I see it as drawing a focus back to the individual. What we perceive is less a representative symbol and more the psychology of the person depicted. It creates an unusual, refreshing sense of intimacy. Editor: Which leads me back to his expression. It humanizes everything! Maybe I would ask him if I could paint him while wearing roller skates! I’m very glad that someone chose to preserve his likeness so many centuries ago, in this way. There’s something truly refreshing in finding the familiar in those removed by time. Curator: I agree. What resonates is this sense of connection. Though history casts a long shadow, art such as this makes palpable the common threads that tie us together through time. We have reached out today and touched a man’s character preserved from the past. Editor: Wonderful. It does show a bit of optimism in its smile.