Portret van de werktuigkundige Cornelis Redelijkheid 1752 - 1823

Curator: Welcome to the Rijksmuseum. Before us is a detailed engraving, a portrait from the late 18th or early 19th century. The piece is titled "Portret van de werktuigkundige Cornelis Redelijkheid," dating from 1752 to 1823, and it's attributed to Johannes Cornelis Mertens. Editor: Oh, hello there, Mr. Redelijkheid! He's got that "I've seen things" look in his eyes. Seriously, though, there's an undeniable seriousness etched on his face, a kind of weary wisdom that piques my curiosity. And the fine lines of the engraving add to that weightiness. Curator: Precisely. Mertens captured that mood quite well, I think. From a formalist perspective, the use of the oval frame is particularly striking. It softens what could have been a severe depiction, a neoclassical style. It serves to draw your attention to the subject’s face and the details of his clothing. Editor: Good point. It’s all contained, like a thought bubble hovering just above the page. Tell me more about his clothing – a peek into the period's sartorial elegance, perhaps? Curator: The attention to detail is impressive. His coat, vest, and neatly tied cravat provide insight into the clothing of the era. The subject's neatly powdered hair adds to that classic picture. The sharp lines suggesting his uniform is beautifully rendered, displaying the engraver’s skill. Editor: It feels so clean and crisp, doesn’t it? Even with the clear gravity in his expression, it maintains a polished veneer. Is that perhaps something to do with this "neoclassical" tag? A way to keep appearances despite the storms of history swirling around? Curator: I believe so. Neoclassicism often sought to evoke a sense of order and rationality, which may have been a desired contrast with the turbulence of the times. Mertens provides not just a portrait but a window into a particular historical consciousness. Editor: Right! It's almost as though it's not only a portrait but a statement. Like history trying to keep a stiff upper lip and perfectly coiffed hair in the face of, well, everything! Well, I'm truly grateful for this little window into another person's universe. Time well spent. Curator: And I believe we've offered our visitors a worthwhile insight into the era's cultural currents via form, figure, and context. Thanks for listening!