Portret van Lorenzo di Vergiuso, markies van Beretti-Landi 1720

Editor: Here we have Bernard Picart's engraving from 1720, titled *Portret van Lorenzo di Vergiuso, markies van Beretti-Landi*. The detail achieved in this portrait through lines alone is really striking. What stands out to you? Curator: The engraving is more than a visual record. It is a statement about power, status and perhaps even a yearning for immortality. Look closely: do you see how the armor suggests not just military strength, but also the weight of history and lineage this man carries? It’s not simply protective gear; it is symbolic. Editor: That's an interesting perspective! I saw the armor more as a reflection of his societal position, almost like a uniform. Curator: It is that as well! But consider the choice of armour over civilian dress; armour carries with it layers of historical memory, linking Lorenzo to generations of military leaders and noble figures. Do you also see the flamboyant wig? Editor: Definitely, it’s hard to miss! It speaks to wealth and status, but is there more to it than that? Curator: Indeed. The elaborate wig, common in Baroque portraiture, symbolizes sophistication, control over nature through artifice. It also echoes the theatricality and performance inherent in displays of power at the time. Think of the court rituals. The wig is the performance. Editor: So the clothing and overall appearance aren't just about him, but about what he represents. Curator: Exactly. An image like this reinforces cultural memory of an ideal, a way of being. The poetry included in the print even elevates the sitter to the status of a Virgil. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's fascinating how many layers of meaning are embedded within a single portrait! Curator: Indeed. Every choice, every detail, contributes to a grander narrative, perpetuating a certain legacy and shaping our perception of the past.