Marchesa Elena Grimaldi, Wife of Marchese Nicola Cattaneo
1910 (published 1911)
Medium
wood engraving on japan paper
Dimensions
image: 18.7 x 13.2 cm (7 3/8 x 5 3/16 in.) sheet: 29.2 x 22 cm (11 1/2 x 8 11/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Eric Denker in honor of Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr.
Accession Number
1998.123.1
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of 17th-century Genoa with *Marchesa Elena Grimal, Wife of Marchese Cattaneo*, a exquisite wood engraving by Timothy Cole after Sir Anthony van Dy's original portrait. Painted around 1621-1627 during van Dyck's influential stay in Italy, the work captures the poised nobility of the Grimal and Cattaneo families, Genoese aristocracy whose wealth funded grand palaces and art patronage. Van Dyck, a master of the Baroque style, infused his portraits with fluid grace, luminous fabrics, and psychological depth, elevating his sitters to near-mythic status. This 1910 engraving (published 1911), printed on fine japan paper, showcases Cole's virtuosity in translating painting to print. Wood engraving, using end-grain blocks for intricate lines, allowed precise reproduction of van Dyck's delicate lace, jewelry, and expressive gaze—making high art accessible in the early 20th century. At 18.7 x 13.2 cm, it's a gem of technical innovation, bridging eras. Generously gifted to the National Gallery of Art by Eric Denker in honor of Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr., this print invites you to admire how reproductive techniques preserved van Dyck's legacy for modern eyes.