Carondelet

Art Historical Context

Visitors to the Art Institute of's Prints and Drawings department find *Carondelet*, a striking mezzotint by Jan van Somer, a example of 17th-century printmaking innovation. Created on ivory paper with plate dimensions of 29.7 × 21.6 cm, this undated work showcases van Somer's mastery as a Dutch engraver active in Amsterdam during the late Baroque era. While specific details about the subject remain elusive, the title likely references a portrait of historical significance, evoking the portraiture popular among Europe's elite at the time. Mezzotint, the technique employed here, revolutionized printmaking in the 1640s–1660s, originating in the Dutch Republic and England. Unlike etching's sharp lines, mezzotint begins with a roughened copper plate that produces deep, velvety blacks; the artist then scrapes and burnishes to create luminous highlights and subtle tonal gradations. This "black manner" allowed for painterly effects reminiscent of oil portraits, making *Carondelet* a bridge between painting and print, accessible to a wider audience through affordable reproductions. Van Somer's piece highlights the cultural role of prints in disseminating images of nobility and scholars, preserving likenesses across continents. Its creamy ivory paper enhances the tonal richness, inviting viewers to appreciate the tactile intimacy of mezzotint up close—a true gem of technical virtuosity and artistic elegance.