Portret van Daniel Nebel 1710 - 1781

Curator: This is a portrait of Daniel Nebel. Created sometime between 1710 and 1781 by Georg Lichtensteger, it's an engraving now housed in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: My initial thought is one of formal authority. There's a starkness to the black and white rendering, yet the subject’s gaze is rather self-assured. It speaks to the socio-political power of the subject depicted. Curator: Indeed. As a print, it likely circulated widely, shaping Nebel’s public image and solidifying his position within society. Engravings such as this allowed for the dissemination of particular ideologies. Editor: The use of line, particularly, stands out. It has such directness, and how the portrait is situated in a frame on what seems to be some sort of architectural block emphasizes the formal intent behind the work. What can we understand of the Baroque style expressed in this work? Curator: It's evident in the ornamentation. And the overall composition evokes that era through its detailed approach. The history of portraiture at this time very often reflected the power structures of that society. Likeness as legacy, to be sure, but also to shape how this individual would be remembered. What could the presence of those written words mean, situated just below the main portrait? Editor: Ah, an excellent point. Inscriptions of this sort functioned much like the symbolic objects included within painted portraiture of the period. I think these added an element of context and promoted dialogue with audiences, particularly educated or influential audiences. Curator: A powerful individual, carefully and skillfully presented for public consumption through printmaking. So interesting to see that tension expressed across its themes and materiality. Editor: I find it fascinating to unpack how power is embedded even in these seemingly straightforward portraits, subtly reinforcing social hierarchies.