Portret van Jan II van Bourbon 1755 - 1765

Curator: Look at this fascinating piece; a portrait of Jan II van Bourbon. It's an engraving, likely dating from around 1755-1765, by René Gaillard. The figure is presented in an oval frame above an inscribed tablet. Editor: It's striking! The stark contrast between light and shadow really defines the form. There's a sense of austerity and the metalwork seems incredibly precise. Curator: Engravings, like this, were vital tools for disseminating images, especially of important figures. What strikes me is the level of detail rendered solely through line and cross-hatching. Look closely at the inscription "JEAN II. Duc de Bourbon" giving us insights on how royal status and lineage are promoted through carefully crafted depictions for consumption. Editor: Absolutely, you can see how the engraver utilized line weight and density to model the forms of the armor and face. The reflections are especially effective, they communicate hardness. I find myself focusing on that helmet and gorget and their role in conferring authority and imposing a degree of physical constraint, too. Curator: Indeed. And, let’s consider the labor and skill invested in the meticulous rendering of the likeness and armor. Each line signifies both technical skill and adherence to social expectation around displaying the Duc's public persona. Think of this engraving existing as something between craft and art. Editor: A good point, since the inscription emphasizes the Duke’s noble origins and history. Its almost didactic and in that regard does the aesthetic impact somewhat become lost by the demand that we consider what this means to a very specific kind of 18th century society? Curator: It's a tension inherent to these pieces. The formal properties are inextricable from the function of displaying wealth and power in ways that the aristocracy consumed in images just as much as any other kind of crafted commodity. Editor: Ultimately, despite what context the artwork speaks from or for, its striking form draws me in. Curator: Agreed. Reflecting on how its social function intertwines with the artistry reveals a richness that’s incredibly captivating.