353 - J. MEYSSENS (*1612) after Unknown (17th), Portrait of Henri de Keyser, Copper engraving

J. MEYSSENS (*1612) after Unknown (17th), Portrait of Henri de Keyser, Copper engraving Joannes Meyssens (1612 - 1670 ) after Unknown (17th century): Portrait of Hendrik de Keyser, architect and sculptor from Amsterdam, from *Het Gulden Cabinet*, 17th century, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on Paper Impression Quality: A good print with clear lines and rich black tones; the hatching is well defined. Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "I. Meyssens fecit excudit". Date: 17th century Description: Portrait of Hendrik de Keyser, a Dutch architect and sculptor. The print depicts a three-quarter profile portrait facing left. The bearded, middle-aged man has curly hair, a trimmed full beard with a moustache, and is wearing a contemporary garment with a buttoned placket and a white collar. In his right hand he holds a compass or stylus, symbolising his profession. The modelling is achieved through dense cross-hatching, which builds up the dark background and brings out the three-dimensional quality of the face. The light falls from the top left. Below the illustration is a multi-line French caption containing biographical details, as well as a publisher’s note. This work is thought to originate from the anthology *Het Gulden Cabinet*, which contained a large number of artists’ portraits. Keywords: Portrait; Hendrik de Keyser; Architect; Sculptor; Netherlands; Amsterdam; Bust; Three-quarter view; Compass; Attribute; Engraving; Baroque; Caption; Publisher’s mark; Meyssen; Scholarly print; historical portrait; 17th century; portrait of a man; professional attribute; 17th century; Baroque; Portraits; Netherlands; Size: Paper: 25,1 cm x 19,6 cm (9,9 x 7,7 in), Plate: 15,9 cm x 11,0 cm (6,3 x 4,3 in), Depiction: 13,7 cm x 10,6 cm (5,4 x 4,2 in) Condition: Good condition. Paper evenly browned; a few small waterstains, particularly towards the top of the sheet; sheet slightly irregularly trimmed, top left-hand corner folded back; left-hand side showing traces of having been removed from a booklet or book; remnants of adhesive tape at the top of the reverse side