446 - G. VERTUE (*1684) after DYCK (*1599), Portrait of Sir John Suckling, 1744, Copper engraving

G. VERTUE (*1684) after DYCK (*1599), Portrait of Sir John Suckling, 1744, Copper engraving George Vertue (1684 London - 1756 ibid.) after Anthonis van Dyck (1599 Antwerp - 1641 London): Portrait of the poet-warrior Sir John Suckling with chivalric and literary symbols, 1744, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving and Etching on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "A. Van Dyck pinxit. | Geo. Vertue Scupsit 1744". At the center inscribed in the printing plate: "SR JOHN SUCKLING OB. 1641 Æta: 28". Date: 1744 Description: The elegant bust portrait shows Sir John Suckling in an oval frame, with flowing hair, goatee and fine robes - a depiction entirely in keeping with the courtly portrait tradition of Van Dyck. A sword and feather are symbolically crossed above the circular section of the picture, and armour with a helmet below - symbols of his dual role as poet and soldier. The combination of martial emblematics and poetic grace makes this sheet a typical example of Baroque representational art. Keywords: John Suckling; Van Dyck; Copper engraving; Baroque portrait; 1744; Poet; Cavalier; English Civil War; Oval frame; Helmet; Pen; Symbolism; Chivalry; Cavalier poet; Rhetorical pose; Etching; Engraving; Literature and war; Portrait with emblematics; Poet warrior; 18th century; Baroque; Portraits; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 36,9 cm x 23,2 cm (14,5 x 9,1 in), Plate: 36,1 cm x 22,9 cm (14,2 x 9 in), Depiction: 35,0 cm x 22,0 cm (13,8 x 8,7 in) Condition: Rather good condition. Slightly discoloured and slightly stained due to age. Verso with traces of adhesive at the corners. Tears and losses to the corners of the sheet on the left: Traces of removal from a former mounting. With occasional small tears along the sheet margins.