Portrait, after Van Dyck (1770, Met-Objekt 1763)
Original title: Portrait, after Van Dyck
kurzbeschreibung
An older man with grey hair and a beard dominates this 1770 etching by Jean Jacques de Boissieu. The print reproduces a painting by Anthonis van Dyck from around 1635/36. Of the five states of the print, this is the fourth.
Description
Grey hair, a full beard, and a moustache shape the subject's face. He wears a dark robe with a high collar arranged in many folds. A dark, indistinct background surrounds the figure, drawing attention to the face and clothing. Black tones on white paper define the image; dense and fine lines create texture and shadow. At the bottom edge, a Latin inscription includes the year 1770.
Context
For this etching, Jean Jacques de Boissieu used as his model a painting by Anthonis van Dyck from around 1635/36. The identity of the person in the original—likely a scholar or nobleman—cannot be determined with certainty. De Boissieu, a French draftsman and etcher, was known for his detailed reproductions. In the 18th century, engravings after famous paintings were widespread, making art accessible to a broader public.
Impact
The fine linework and high-contrast shading give the portrait a calm, dignified presence. Because the surroundings remain dark, the sitter's face stands out and his serious expression is emphasized. Beard and collar are rendered with great technical skill.
Technique
This sheet is an etching in the fourth of five states. For an etching, the drawing is scratched into a wax layer on a copper plate, and the plate is then bitten with acid. De Boissieu used dense and fine lines to create shadows and textures—a typical approach for him.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)