Aunt of Gerard Dou 1780

Curator: This is Johann Georg Wille's "Aunt of Gerard Dou," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. The image itself measures about 18 by 16 centimeters. Editor: It's a somber portrait, rendered in such precise detail, almost like a cameo. The etching process must have been incredibly painstaking. Curator: Wille’s mastery over line and texture is evident. Notice how the varying densities create depth and shadow, framing her face within that simulated arched niche. Editor: I am interested in the social standing implied by the sitter's garments and the way her likeness was reproduced and disseminated. The act of making prints was laborious. Curator: Indeed, the print serves to immortalize not only the sitter but also the artistic lineage of Gerard Dou. It's a study in light, form, and representation. Editor: Yes, and it reminds us of the hands and presses that brought this image into being. Curator: Ultimately, a dialogue between artistic skill and social context.