Portret van Bernard Herman Goudriaan c. 1847 - 1865

Curator: Here we have an engraving from sometime between 1847 and 1865, "Portret van Bernard Herman Goudriaan," by Hendrikus Michael. It’s a rather stern portrayal of a gentleman in a military-style coat. What strikes you first about this work? Editor: Well, there's something incredibly buttoned-up about it, quite literally. The high collar, the serious expression, the symmetry – it all speaks to a certain formality and rigidity. Is that what was considered appropriate during that period? Curator: It certainly reflects the dominant values of that era. But looking at it materially, it's fascinating how much detail Michael achieves with just line work. Consider the gradations in tone used to form his subject, seemingly built up of minuscule hatching and cross-hatching, transforming base materials into illusionistic textures of skin, cloth, and metal. Editor: Precisely, I'm drawn to the almost heraldic quality of his uniform. The elaborate collar trim and gleaming buttons surely signify status and adherence to social rank within his community. There is pride on display. Do we know what that implies in this particular social context? Curator: While little information is readily available on Bernard Herman Goudriaan, we know this image was reproduced, so access would be more available than the original artwork would otherwise allow. Considering the means of its production – an engraving, which allows for multiple impressions – we can deduce this wasn’t necessarily about individual commemoration but perhaps a broader circulation, suggesting that, through his position, Goudriaan served as a symbol. Editor: Yes, engravings such as these did help forge public figures by conveying the image and prestige of elites. I imagine that this style of realistic portraiture held a lot of influence at the time. Curator: Undeniably, these were objects invested with labor, circulated, collected and consumed. From this viewpoint, Goudriaan's depiction speaks not just of personal likeness, but the era’s aspiration to solidify, through printed media, its material presence. Editor: Thank you, I found that exploration fascinating; these small clues really start to build a more comprehensive picture of his importance in that timeframe. Curator: And seeing the art this way allows me a fresh lens to the symbology behind that era’s style and its implications to us today.