Portret van Hendrik II van Frankrijk 1650 - 1695

Curator: This is a print from somewhere between 1650 and 1695, Gaspar Bouttats' "Portret van Hendrik II van Frankrijk" housed right here in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the density. So much detail crammed onto one sheet – the almost obsessive lines and textures give it a real baroque intensity. Curator: Exactly. The production of prints like this involved a meticulous, skilled labor force. Consider the engraver’s hand, translating the image onto the plate, each line etched with precision and care. And the paper itself, a valuable commodity at the time, made through equally labor-intensive processes. Editor: And what power dynamics are at play here? Look at the portrayal of Hendrik II, elevated within this elaborate allegorical framework, surrounded by figures seemingly enacting his glorious reign. It feels propagandistic. Curator: It’s definitely a constructed image, serving a purpose. This print uses ink, which was itself a complex mixture of materials – galls, gum Arabic, and vitriol often. Editor: And the choice to depict Henry in profile? It lends him an almost Roman, classical gravitas, which, consciously or unconsciously, invites the viewer to associate him with that lineage of power and authority. Are we meant to see him as some sort of absolute ruler sanctioned by heaven and earth? Curator: That connection to the past was strategically made, linking the ruler to a historical legacy. Also note the sheer volume of imagery crammed in, an abundance enabled through mechanical reproduction, making possible wider access for visual and political messaging. Editor: Exactly! The mass distribution allows for manipulation. In a time before ubiquitous photography and video, these carefully crafted prints shaped public perception and legitimized those in power. You can practically feel the weight of ideology pressing down. Curator: Considering it’s just ink on paper, its reach was considerable. This particular example really illustrates the role printmaking played in the 17th century. Editor: Absolutely. It allows us to read how identities are crafted and narratives constructed within their historical and social context. Curator: It brings fresh perspective when we really consider it. Editor: Yes, indeed, this complex print reveals its richness the deeper one dares to delve.