Portrait of Helena Fourment
Original title: Portrait of Helena Fourment
kurzbeschreibung
William Dickinson's 1780 mezzotint portrays Helena Fourment, the second wife of Peter Paul Rubens. The print, after a Rubens painting, measures 35.6 × 25.4 cm. It shows her in elegant attire with an elaborate headdress.
Description
Helena Fourment appears with an intricate headpiece of flowers and feathers; her hair is loosely braided. One hand holds a staff topped with a flower. Her clothing is noble and richly detailed, with lace at the collar and sleeves. Against the dark background, her bright face and light gown stand out clearly. At the bottom, a lettered inscription identifies the sitter and the source of the image.
Context
The portrait was made in 1780 as a mezzotint by William Dickinson, after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens that was then in the collection of B. Bates, M.D., of Alebury. Helena Fourment was Rubens's second wife and was painted by him several times. The inscription on the sheet names the painter of the original and the owner of the source—a common practice for reproductive prints in the 18th century.
Impact
The strong contrast of light and dark brings the sitter's face to the fore. Lace and jewelry are rendered with such precision that the portrait feels both refined and immediate. Overall, the image is elegant and formal, as befits a courtly portrait.
Technique
As a mezzotint, an intaglio process, the print allows for the finest tonal gradations. By roughening the plate with a rocker, a textured surface is created that yields deep blacks and soft transitions when printed. The paper measures 35.6 × 25.4 cm and has been trimmed, suggesting later framing or mounting.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)