Portret van de beeldhouwer Georg Schweigger 1689 - 1700

Jan van Somer made this print of Georg Schweigger, a sculptor, using etching and engraving techniques. During the Baroque period, representations of male artists often emphasized their intellectual prowess and creative genius. This portrait participates in that tradition, but I think it goes further. What do you notice about Schweigger's gaze and his soft features? Van Somer avoids sharp lines, choosing tonality to capture Georg Schweigger, whose sensitive expression breaks from the hypermasculine stereotypes that defined men in the 17th century. The print captures the artist's identity and perhaps hints at his emotional landscape. What does it mean to represent male artists with a softer, more human sensibility? Van Somer challenges conventional notions of masculinity and celebrates artistic sensitivity, offering a more inclusive vision of artistic identity.