Portrait of Eleazor Swalmius
Original title: Portrait of Eleazor Swalmius
kurzbeschreibung
Jonas Suyderhoef portrayed the theologian Eleazor Swalmius in a fur coat. This copper engraving dates from around 1640, measures 33 by 25.7 cm, and belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
An older man with a long beard and a cap sits in a chair, wrapped in a fur coat, one hand resting on his chest. A wall with a door and a window appears behind him. Latin and Dutch inscriptions beneath the figure identify the sitter. The image is rich in detail, worked with delicate shading.
Context
Eleazor Swalmius (1582–1652) served as a Reformed theologian in the Netherlands. Suyderhoef, a celebrated engraver of the Dutch Baroque, often reproduced other artists' designs in his portraits. The sheet was probably part of a series of scholar portraits made for the book trade.
Impact
Dark clothing and the sitter's serious expression give the portrait a dignified, learned air. Precisely drawn lines and strong contrasts of shadow create a solemn mood that directs attention to the man's standing.
Technique
For this engraving, the lines were cut into a copper plate and then printed on paper. The process allows the finest detail and a broad range of tonal values. Printing was done in black on cream-colored paper.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)