Portret van Pierre-Claude Nivelle de La Chaussée 1778 - 1787

Editor: This is a print, "Portret van Pierre-Claude Nivelle de La Chaussée" by François Robert Ingouf, created sometime between 1778 and 1787. It’s a baroque-style engraving, and I'm struck by how it evokes a sense of formality and decorum. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: The oval frame immediately draws my attention. Consider how the oval historically signifies potential – an egg, a seed, new beginnings. Encasing the portrait within it speaks to La Chaussée's potential legacy, his enduring impact on French society even after death, as seen by his membership in the Académie Française noted beneath the portrait. What do you make of his expression? Editor: He seems self-assured, almost a bit smug, but approachable. I'm wondering what symbols we can see within his portrait that contribute to his persona. Curator: Exactly! His wig, for example, a common symbol of status and respectability during the period. It speaks to adherence to social conventions. Even the style of engraving itself harkens back to older artistic traditions; it echoes an era of enlightenment, rationality and established hierarchies. But there's also a softness in the eyes, a human quality breaking through the formal presentation. Do you think this contrast was intentional? Editor: It’s interesting. I suppose it gives him a more nuanced, accessible quality – less imposing, maybe? So, it's a carefully constructed image, balancing public persona and private character. Curator: Precisely. We see here how portraiture works to create a lasting image but how also, artists can also reflect, reinforce, and even subvert certain societal expectations. The choice to engrave, versus painting or drawing, adds a layer of historical context too; engravings spread images, ideas, throughout society more easily. Editor: I see the way all of these signs compound to tell a nuanced story. It really prompts you to examine how we create and understand lasting representations of ourselves. Curator: Yes, the image acts like a hall of mirrors, refracting the artist, sitter, and historical expectations across time. I am happy to exchange insights with you on this art piece today!