Portrait of Lorenzo de' Medici
Original title: Portrait of Lorenzo de' Medici
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Vorsterman I produced this engraving of Lorenzo de' Medici between 1610 and 1650. The Florentine statesman is shown in profile facing left, enclosed within an oval frame bearing Latin inscriptions. The trimmed sheet measures 17.5 × 12.1 cm and survives as a single print.
Description
A man in left profile, with long wavy hair and a prominent nose. He wears a plain light robe and collar. His serious expression stands out against the dark, textured background. The portrait sits inside an oval border decorated with a pattern of small, even shapes. Below it, Latin inscriptions identify the sitter as well as the painter and engraver.
Context
Vorsterman, a Flemish engraver, made numerous reproductive prints after paintings by well-known artists. Lorenzo de' Medici, called il Magnifico, was an influential politician and patron of the arts in fifteenth-century Florence. This engraving was made about 150 years after Lorenzo's death and belongs to a series of portraits of historical figures based on designs by painters such as Peter Paul Rubens.
Impact
The profile view and dark background give the sheet a monumental, dignified presence. Delicately graded lines and the oval frame produce a noble, formal air that recalls Renaissance medals.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were cut into a copper plate with a burin. Printing was done in black ink on paper; only one state exists. This technique allows precise details and fine shading, as can be seen in the analysis of the image.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)