David Friedrich Strauss c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Carl Mayer’s portrait of David Friedrich Strauss. There's something about the sternness in his eyes that gives me pause. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Stern, yes, but also a hint of melancholy perhaps? It reminds me of old daguerreotypes – a somberness that feels both personal and representative of an era grappling with change. He looks like a man wrestling with serious ideas; don’t you think? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. I was so focused on the direct gaze. Curator: It's a fascinating dance, isn't it? Between the sitter's persona and our own projections. It's like catching a fleeting shadow of a soul. Editor: That’s a lovely way to put it. Thanks!