351 - J. MEYSSENS (*1612) after an unknown artist (17th century), Portrait of Guillaume de Nieulant II, copper engraving

J. MEYSSENS (*1612) after an unknown artist (17th century), Portrait of Guillaume de Nieulant II, copper engraving Joannes Meyssens (1612–1670) after an unknown artist (17th century): Portrait of the painter Guillaume de Nieulant II from *Het Gulden Cabinet*, 17th century, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on paper Print Quality: A good to very good print, with clearly defined lines and a rich black tone; the hatching is nuanced and well preserved. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the bottom: “Iean Meyssens fecit et excudit.” Inscribed in the printing plate at the bottom: “GUILLAUME DE NIEULANT.” Date: 17th century Description: A copperplate engraving of the painter Guillaume de Nieulant (1584–1635) in a half-length portrait, turned slightly to the left, looking directly at the viewer. The figure wears a wide, floppy hat, a white millstone collar, and a dark cloak. His right hand holds a bundle of drawing sticks or brushes. The modeling is achieved through delicate cross-hatching, which brings out the three-dimensionality of the clothing and face. The background is structured by uniform horizontal hatching. Below the illustration is a multi-line column of biographical text in French, bearing the number 32 and a publisher’s note. This work is believed to originate from the anthology *Het Gulden Cabinet*, which contained a large number of artists’ portraits. Keywords: Guillaume de Nieulant; Portrait; Engraving; Baroque; Painter; Antwerp; Amsterdam; Half-length portrait; Floppy hat; Millstone collar; Paintbrush; Biography; 17th century; Dutch; Flemish; Artist’s portrait; Jean Meyssens; Printed art; Historical portrait; Publisher’s mark; 17th century; Baroque; Depiction of Artists; Netherlands; Size: Paper: 22.6 cm x 15.1 cm (8.9 x 5.9 in), Plate: 15.8 cm x 11.0 cm (6.2 x 4.3 in), Image: 13.7 cm x 10.5 cm (5.4 x 4.1 in) Condition: Good condition. Slight yellowing of the paper due to age; a few small water stains in the lower section; margins slightly irregular, with a scuff mark at the bottom left; edges slightly irregular; a small scratch at the bottom, outside the motif, and a small crease at the bottom right