Description:A wonderfully detailed and charismatic portrait, this exquisite work illustrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of van Dyck. Vorsterman's stately, yet approachable expression reflects van Dyck's refined ability to comfort and relax his subjects, resulting in a realistic and acute portrait.
Originally created in 1641, this portrait had become part of a series of 84 engraved portraits of famous people at the time created by van Dyck in hopes of compiling his work in a published portfolio entitled "Iconographie." The plate has also been marked in the lower left of the plate "Ant. Van Dyck fecit aqua forti." Beneath the engraved name is the inscription: CALCOGRAPHVS ANTVERPIÆ IN GELDRIA NATVS.
Apparently also a famous engraver of several plates during his time, Vorsterman is depicted here with a thoughtful and wistful gaze, under layers of richly detailed costume. According to Frank Newbolt, "The plate is an admirable example of the best kind of etched portrait, and the style in which the dress is manipulated is in keeping with the whole scheme" (15) . Van Dyck had engraved this portrait of his artist friend after a drawing he had made of him in black chalk; he depicts him as looking off to the side, as if distracted suddenly. Vorsterman was also involved in van Dyck's "Iconographie" project.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that I will enclose with the sale of the work) :|
1) Newbolt, Frank. Etchings of Van Dyck, Ballantyne Press: London. Listed as Frontispiece on pg. 19 and illustrated on the title page of the text.
2) Hind, Arthur. Van Dyck: His Original Etchings and His Iconography, Houghton Mifflin: New York, 1915. Listed on pg. 102 as W. 12; D. 12 and illustrated on pg. 45.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with museum quality archival materials, this work is mounted in a Spanish-style black and gold moulding whose intricately carved fleur-de-lys accents compliment van Dyck's engraved mastery. The refined gold leaf details with subtle hints of red and black highlights the shadows and remarkable details within this work. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.
