Portret van François Valentijn 1724

Editor: So, here we have Jacob Houbraken’s 1724 engraving, "Portret van François Valentijn," currently residing at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a rather imposing portrait, quite Baroque in its flair, yet… I'm struck by this somewhat staged quality. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, François Valentijn, quite the character. But before we talk about the man, have you considered the theatrical framing? Figures from the East seem to literally hold his image up! It feels less like a straightforward portrait and more like… a hagiography, wouldn’t you say? Editor: A hagiography! Like it's illustrating his life as a saint. The non-Western figures really emphasize the "exotic." Curator: Precisely. Valentijn was a minister and naturalist, but more famously known for his, shall we say, "extensive" writings on the Dutch East Indies. These images position him as a man surrounded by his, let's call them "domains" and the inhabitants that resided there. A figure presiding over different parts of the world in the spirit of exploration. It certainly offers an interesting insight into the Dutch perspective of that era, don’t you think? Editor: Definitely. So, it’s less about capturing his likeness and more about portraying him as this all-knowing figure, a master of his domain. Kind of changes the whole feel of it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's a reminder that portraits aren't always simple reflections; sometimes they're elaborate stages for crafting a narrative. The key is recognizing those theatrical cues!