Zelfportret van Wallerant Vaillant 1671 - 1677

Curator: Ah, Wallerant Vaillant's self-portrait, etched sometime between 1671 and 1677. Look at how he captures himself here, residing at the Rijksmuseum now. Editor: It's wonderfully melancholy, isn't it? A wistful gaze… The monochromatic palette enhances that sense of quiet introspection. Curator: Right! As a portrait, of himself, no less! It really digs deep into something more existential. I am captivated by how Baroque masters approached capturing likeness. But of course it's just an engraving and not even painted; more of a 'print.' It all adds a fascinating texture that elevates the piece so vividly. Editor: Texture is spot-on! I'm intrigued by his choice of the mezzotint technique, so very involved to make subtle gradations in tone. Imagine the labor invested—preparing that copper plate! Each burr meticulously raised… the skill is just remarkable and all that preparation so the artist could express himself as someone of value! Curator: Absolutely! It's a reminder that even self-expression has its framework! Though Vaillant's not explicitly showcasing tools, he puts his hand upon his chest with almost royal poise and confidence. I feel this need to ask myself: is that performative, an honest impression, or simply for image's sake, with this self-portrait in a period hungry for visibility. It can’t not affect him! Editor: Precisely. His carefully chosen garb also tells a tale. It’s a controlled form of production isn't it; how someone adorns the self to have value for future viewers… It reveals so much about the socio-economic and even artisanal forces at play. That hand on his chest too, very deliberate in showing how valuable his skill makes him. Curator: The man and the means entwined. Ultimately, in those choices, he transcends just 'making' something. It shows someone in process, in both artistic ways and social means of value. Editor: Indeed. This exercise in rendering of Vaillant certainly offers food for further thought concerning portraiture production… Curator: Beautifully put; one way or another it keeps speaking!