307 - F. BOUTTATS (*1610) after HEIL (*1609), Portrait of Leo van Heil, copper engraving

F. BOUTTATS (*1610) after HEIL (*1609), Portrait of Leo van Heil, copper engraving Frederik Bouttats (1610 Antwerp – 1676 ibid.) after Jan Baptist van Heil (1609 – after 1886): Portrait of the painter Leo van Heil with an architectural drawing from *Het Gulden Cabinet*, 17th century, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on paper Print Quality: A very good print, with deep black tones and clear definition, featuring precise, crisp lines and delicate hatching that is well-defined. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the bottom: “Jo. Bapt van Heil pinxit | Fred Bottats sculpsit | Io. Meyssens excudit.” Inscribed in the printing plate at the bottom: “LEO VAN HEIL”. Date: 17th century Description: A half-length portrait of the painter Leo van Heil, viewed in three-quarter profile from the left. The subject is wearing a dark coat with a buttoned placket, a light-colored cloak, and a lace-trimmed collar. His hair falls long and wavy over his shoulders; he has a trimmed mustache and a small goatee. In his hands, he holds a sheet of paper featuring an architectural drawing (arched architecture with columns). The background is rendered using delicate cross-hatching. Below the illustration is a multi-line French caption, along with the names of the painter, engraver, and publisher. The number 93 is printed in the upper right-hand corner. This work is believed to originate from the anthology *Het Gulden Cabinet*, which contained a large number of artists’ portraits. Keywords: Portrait; Leo van Heil; Engraving; Artist’s portrait; Baroque; Flanders; Brussels; Architectural drawing; Half-length portrait; Lace collar; Cloak; 17th century; Artist series; Frederik Bouttats; Johannes Meyssens; Portrait; Printed art; Historical portrait; Painter; Attributes; 17th century; Baroque; Depiction of Artists; Belgium; Size: Paper: 19.6 cm x 15.0 cm (7.7 x 5.9 in), Plate: 16.0 cm x 11.4 cm (6.3 x 4.5 in), Image: 13.7 cm x 10.9 cm (5.4 x 4.3 in) Condition: Good condition. The paper is slightly browned and has a few faint water stains; the margins are largely intact; brown adhesive strips on the reverse are slightly visible through the paper on the front