Portret van Johann Philipp von Schönborn 1628 - 1670

Curator: Welcome. Here we have an engraving of Johann Philipp von Schönborn, likely dating sometime between 1628 and 1670. The piece is held here at the Rijksmuseum and was crafted by Pieter de Jode the Younger. Editor: The immediate impact is formal, perhaps even somber. The stark contrast of the engraving captures an aristocratic sensibility. The oval framing adds a layer of compositional order. Curator: Indeed. Look at how the engraving technique itself—the precision of line, the density of hatching—conveys the texture of the fabrics and the gravity of the subject’s gaze. It's an incredibly skillful rendering of form. Editor: I'm also drawn to the visual hierarchy created by the materials at play here. From the paper substrate, which gives it its presence and accessibility, to the marks left by the engraving tool, the image presents material reality through a filter of labor and consumption. The coat of arms at the top acts as a statement about the person's lineage but it’s also layered and created through deliberate engraving work. Curator: Note also the symbolism present in the work. The carefully placed coat of arms speaks directly to Schönborn's authority. The sword and crozier behind him function both as decoration and a way of enhancing the prestige connected with his image. Editor: It’s fascinating how this medium flattens textures to produce value. Think about the work to translate Schönborn’s complex character into simple lines and strokes. There is much effort and calculation that needs to occur. Curator: Precisely. Engravings such as these provided a method for disseminating important people across society. They’re inherently about power, representation, and distribution. Editor: From a production viewpoint, this allows us to consider who was in control, both in creating this artwork and distributing it, bringing awareness to an elite social sphere, but through collaborative making. Curator: It seems our perspectives bring different insights to light today. Editor: Exactly. Every image holds a plethora of views.