Carel Wouter Visscher c. 18th century

Curator: The first impression I get from this engraving is one of solid bourgeois respectability. Editor: Indeed. The Harvard Art Museums hold this image of Carel Wouter Visscher, engraved by Johann Friedrich Bause. It’s a study in understated power, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Absolutely. The oval frame itself feels like a symbol of classical authority, containing this man. His direct gaze suggests confidence, while his clothing places him firmly in the merchant class. Editor: The inscription below seems to identify him as a "Pensionaris," a legal advisor in Amsterdam. It highlights the subject's societal role, emphasizing not merely who he was, but what he did for the city. Curator: This image really highlights how symbols of power and status persist across time. It's a fascinating look at how one chooses to be perceived and remembered. Editor: Yes, seeing art like this allows us to understand how the visual language of power has changed over centuries, and to appreciate the many complexities of art.