Two Sculptors at Night in Rome. Double Portrait of Francois Duquesnoy and Georg Petel
Adam de Coster
1620-1623
We assume that we are seeing François Duquesnoy (left) and Georg Petel because the works of art depicted can be identified as theirs. But it is hardly possible to tell the two artists apart. A single flame is the only source of illumination. One asks oneself what this double portrait is all about? What is being portrayed? In spite of the atmosphere of intimacy the artists stare right ahead of themselves without seeing each other. Their gazes are directed inwards in contemplation.
SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen · Image: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark, Public domain · Text: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark (text: Hanne Kolind Poulsen) (adapted), CC0