Portret van Jacques Jean de Raedt 1822

Editor: This is "Portrait of Jacques Jean de Raedt," a graphite drawing from 1822 by Guillaume Philidor Van den Burggraaff, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. The figure appears to emerge from a smoky cloud. What strikes you about it? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the meticulous process of graphite drawing, particularly in this Neoclassical portrait. Graphite allowed for mass production of images in ways paintings simply didn’t, reaching broader audiences. How does understanding this shift your perspective? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about the democratization aspect of graphite drawings at that time. So, the accessibility of the image due to the material is significant? Curator: Exactly. It moves us beyond the individual depicted to considering how this likeness was made and distributed. The labor involved, the materials sourced—graphite mines were booming then—and ultimately, the consumption of this portrait all factor into understanding its deeper meaning. This wasn't just art, it was also commodity. Editor: I see what you mean. Thinking about the actual making and the access broadens the context so much more. The detail becomes a sign of a widespread skill instead of individual brilliance. Curator: Precisely. This forces us to rethink traditional notions of artistic genius, shifting our focus towards the skilled labor involved in production. It almost flattens out the artist, like we are ignoring all of Burggraaff’s other individual merits as an artist. Editor: That is really fascinating; the humble graphite elevates our comprehension and shifts focus to larger material and labor-related concerns of artmaking during the 19th Century. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure; materiality helps expose broader histories of consumption, value, and artistic practices.