Portret van John May op 80-jarige leeftijd 1773 - 1813

Curator: Here we have "Portret van John May op 80-jarige leeftijd," a print, specifically an engraving, by Valentine Green, likely created between 1773 and 1813. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My immediate reaction is one of reserved dignity. The circular frame emphasizes a sense of completeness, a life fully lived, perhaps. The grey tones are subtle but striking. Curator: I agree. The framing really focuses our attention on May’s face and expression. I’m struck by how this image places John May within a historical narrative as someone pivotal, working in Amsterdam during a transformative period. The text clearly states his importance as “Ship Builder to the States General”. Editor: Precisely! Observe how Green masterfully used the engraving technique to capture texture – look at the detail in the wig, contrasted with the smooth planes of his face. The subtle play of light and shadow gives a palpable sense of form and weight. Curator: Absolutely. The choice to depict May at this stage of his life – "op 80-jarige leeftijd" – encourages reflections on experience, wisdom, and legacy within a specific social context of the time. A legacy which would only exist as the colonialist enterprise of ship building that occurred then. Editor: And how this man is very consciously centered in the pictorial space. Look closely; Green utilized layering within a circular frame that offers both depth and focus, further enhancing our visual path into May’s gaze. The text placement, heraldic shield, all very intentionally considered components. Curator: He isn't just any shipbuilder, his role carries immense political weight, contributing to the expansionist and economic policies driven by the need for nautical power. Green is showcasing not merely an individual but also those social underpinnings. Editor: It prompts considerations about formal conventions present during the time. By studying structural harmony displayed, we may delve into intended symbolic weight invested via deliberate design choices, reflective for cultural values prevalent at the period. Curator: Reflecting on Green's work helps to remember both the subject’s accomplishments but more importantly questions the ethics of that specific industry, that supported colonial efforts across several continents. Editor: Indeed, while considering visual and structural design, further context enhances discourse toward better interpretations in similar historical engravings from the era.