Portrait of Maréchal de Lowendal
Original title: Portrait of Maréchal de Lowendal
kurzbeschreibung
Marshal von Lowendal stands in an 18th-century etching and engraving by Nicolas de Larmessin III, clad in splendid armor with a fur mantle. Heraldic ornament and inscriptions surround him.
Description
The marshal is shown half-length, his right hand resting on a sword, his body encased in gleaming armor and a fur mantle draped over it. A helmet sits to one side on a pedestal. Coats of arms and inscriptions fill the lower area. An elaborately decorated frame with intricate ornamentation encloses the whole. The image remains monochrome in various shades of gray; even light brings out the details of the armor.
Context
Nicolas de Larmessin III, an 18th-century French engraver, was known for his portrait prints. Marshal von Lowendal, Ulrich Friedrich Woldemar von Löwendal, served as a Danish-German officer in French service and was made Marshal of France in 1744. Portrait prints of this kind helped spread the fame of high-ranking military men and nobles and present them to the public.
Impact
The opulent armor and fur mantle give the portrait an aura of power and authority. The symmetrical layout and fine details create an impression of dignity and ceremonial solemnity.
Technique
Etching and engraving allow fine lines and precise shading. The trimmed sheet measures 45.6 x 32.2 cm; the monochrome gray palette is typical of prints of this period.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)