391 - A. TROUVAIN (*1656) after TORTEBAT (*1621), Portrait of Pierre (I) Simon, 1693, copper engraving

A. TROUVAIN (*1656) after TORTEBAT (*1621), Portrait of Pierre (I) Simon, 1693, copper engraving Antoine Trouvain (1656, Montdidier – 1708, Paris) after François Tortebat (c. 1621, Paris – 1690, ibid.): Portrait of Pierre (I) Simon: Oval portrait of a man with a curly wig and coat, 1693, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on paper Inscription: Signed on the printing plate at the bottom: “Tortebat Pinxit / Trouvain sculp”. Inscribed at the bottom of the printing plate: “Petrus Simon Eques Calcographus.” Dated in the lower right: “1693.” Date: 1693 Description: The portrait depicts a man in an oval frame with his face turned slightly to the left. He is wearing a voluminous, curly wig typical of the 17th century. His facial expression is calm and confident, with a slight smile on his lips. He is wrapped in a heavy, draped cloak that falls in deep folds over his shoulders. The detailed hatching technique lends the portrait a three-dimensional depth. The background is dark to emphasize the man’s face and clothing. Inscriptions containing the name of the person depicted and the artist are visible below the portrait. The overall composition is balanced and demonstrates a high degree of precision and craftsmanship. Keywords: Portrait; Man; 17th century; Wig; Coat; Hatching; Oval; Expression; Clothing; Calmness; Confidence; Artist’s name; Historical fashion; Facial expression; Composition; Background; Placational; Symmetry; Craft; Artistry; 17th century; Baroque; Portraits; Netherlands; Size: Paper: 25.2 cm x 19.8 cm (9.9 x 7.8 in), Plate: 24.2 cm x 18.7 cm (9.5 x 7.4 in), Depiction: 23.5 cm x 18.2 cm (9.3 x 7.2 in) Condition: In poor condition. Horizontal crease marks in the center. Some rubbing along the edges. Tiny losses in the center-left of the print. Small soiling visible in the print.