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 bottom, signed on the printing plate: “A. Van Dyck pinxit. | Geo. Vertue Scupsit 1744." In the center, inscribed on the printing plate: "SR JOHN SUCKLING OB. 1641 Æta: 28." Date: 1744 Description: The elegant bust portrait depicts Sir John Suckling in an oval frame, with flowing hair, a goatee, and fine robes—a depiction entirely in keeping with Van Dyck’s courtly portrait tradition. A sword and a feather are symbolically crossed above the circular section of the image, and armor with a helmet below—symbols of his dual role as poet and soldier. The combination of martial symbolism and poetic grace makes this print 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 emblems; 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), Image size: 35.0 cm x 22.0 cm (13.8 x 8.7 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. Slightly discolored and slightly stained due to age. Traces of adhesive on the reverse at the corners. Tears and losses at the corners of the sheet on the left: Traces of removal from a previous mounting. With occasional small tears along the margins of the sheet.