Portret van keizer Domitianus 1643 - 1680

Editor: Here we have a baroque engraving, dating roughly from 1643 to 1680, titled "Portret van keizer Domitianus"—"Portrait of Emperor Domitian"—by Johann Friedrich Leonard. I'm immediately struck by the stern profile and how the stark black and white creates this very… serious mood. What do you see in this piece, Professor? Curator: It’s funny, isn’t it? How historical figures get frozen in these postures. The engraver, Leonard, had a tightrope to walk. Domitian wasn't exactly winning any popularity contests when he was Emperor of Rome. So, an idealized portrait was a delicate game of control and reverence, carefully shaped through skillful cuts. Notice how the laurel wreath attempts to subtly soften the image with those fluid and precise baroque lines? Makes you wonder about the political undercurrents rippling beneath this seemingly stoic surface. What stories might that shadow behind his head be trying to whisper? Editor: I hadn't considered that… that there's almost a political narrative woven in through something like the shading! It also seems as though he is presented like some type of 'godlike' figure due to the crown that sits atop his head. Curator: Absolutely! It is an intriguing thought. Perhaps these godlike visual cues served to remind society of their allegiance, hinting at divinity to reinforce their authority. Don't you agree? In a world without photography, these images held immense power! Almost like propaganda. How wild is that? Editor: So it's more than just a portrait, it's…an argument? It’s also fascinating to think how limited visual representations were and the role engravings like this had. I’ll definitely be looking at these historical portraits a little differently from now on! Curator: Precisely! Next time we see a regal profile, let’s ask ourselves not just "Who is that?", but also, "What story is the artist selling here?"