Portret van architect Michele Sanmicheli 1818 - 1848

Editor: This is a portrait of architect Michele Sanmicheli, probably dating from sometime between 1818 and 1848. It's a pencil drawing, and I find it so compelling; it really feels like a study of character. What stands out to you when you look at it? Curator: Oh, the quiet dignity, absolutely. Look at how the artist, Jacopo Bernardi, captures not just the likeness of Sanmicheli but perhaps his inner world, all with these incredibly delicate pencil strokes. It's like whispering secrets with graphite. Makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the stories etched on Sanmicheli’s face, the weight of stone he’s considered, the cities he’s dreamt into being. Editor: It really does. The way the artist focuses just on the head and shoulders within that oval format, it’s almost like he's presenting Sanmicheli as a kind of classical bust. Curator: Exactly! But Bernardi adds such a human touch, right? Notice the imperfections in the aged paper, those little flecks and variations. It feels very present and grounded in reality. Do you get the sense he admires Sanmicheli? Editor: I do. It feels reverent. The slight upturn of the lips, perhaps hinting at a wry wit, or maybe just contentment? Curator: Maybe he knows that buildings will outlive us, which is really quite reassuring. He's not grandstanding with sharp angles. It’s like the artist is allowing us to look through time, a gentle act of preservation. Editor: It definitely feels like a conversation across centuries. Thank you, that really broadened my view of the work! Curator: And you, in turn! Isn't it wonderful how a simple drawing can be so layered? It speaks volumes, in a very quiet tone.