Zelfportret op 20-jarige leeftijd 1660

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we’re looking at Hendrik Bary’s "Self-Portrait at the Age of 20," created around 1660. It’s a striking example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture, rendered through engraving. Editor: The intensity in his eyes really grabs me. He's got this direct, almost defiant stare, like he's challenging you to underestimate him because of his youth. I'm instantly intrigued by his story. Curator: As an engraving, the creation of this piece would have been a labour-intensive, multi-stage process, reliant on specialist tools and craftsmanship. Think about the social status and skills necessary to commission, create, and then distribute prints like these! Editor: Definitely not your casual selfie! What's fascinating is the control he exerts despite that technical precision. The texture of the hair, for instance, seems almost effortless, loose and free-flowing, set against the formal constraints of the clothing and composition. Curator: The stark contrasts inherent in engraving do create that compelling visual tension. Notice how the precise, hatched lines not only define form, but also model the play of light, which in turn animates the image and highlights elements such as his crisp collar. Editor: That collar feels symbolic somehow; a blend of youthful bravado trying to coexist with an older generation. Like a visual manifesto being presented to the world—'I am an artist. I'm young, yes, but don't dismiss me!' Or maybe I am projecting. Curator: Perhaps. Yet the material reality points toward both individuality and social positioning; consider the clothing fashions and dissemination practices within Dutch society at the time. Editor: Fair enough! All in all, staring into Hendrik's young, hopeful eyes makes you wonder about all the portraits not made. About how art is as much about capturing history as it is about forgetting it, of people not included in the visual narrative of an era. Curator: A fitting conclusion, highlighting how exploring the materiality and creation of artwork encourages a deeper connection to broader cultural and economic forces and human experiences.