Portret van Anton Gunther, hertog van Schwartzberg 1701 - 1713

Editor: This engraving from the early 1700s by Pieter Schenk, titled "Portret van Anton Gunther, hertog van Schwartzberg," it's striking! All that armour, contrasted with that enormous wig - what do you make of this image? Curator: Well, first off, I see a man doing everything he can to scream "power!" It's like he's saying, "Yes, I wear a ridiculous wig, but LOOK at this imposing metal shell – try arguing with me now!" Isn't it wonderful how art can be a form of theater? You almost expect him to burst into an aria. The engraver does invite our gaze into a dance between vanity and might. The flowing lines of the hair create this elaborate frame, almost mocking the rigidity of the armour. Don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, I can see that. It's a bit funny, actually, in a way I don’t think was originally intended! But the humour makes it engaging, I feel more curious about him, the duke. Curator: Exactly! It’s that little smirk of irony that gives it spice. He’s trapped in amber, forever signaling authority, yet somehow manages to wink at us across the centuries. That rigid armour—symbol of power—becomes a costume! Almost endearing, isn't it? Editor: I agree, seeing the artifice, the staged nature of the portrait changes how I perceive the Duke. Curator: And there you have it! Art doing its magic. Challenging our perceptions, inviting us to question what we think we know, and to smile just a little. It’s a rather brilliant send-up of power, and humanity, wouldn’t you agree?