Mathieu Mole

Art Historical Context

Behold *Mathieu Mole*, a striking engraving by the French artist Michel Lasne, created between 1551 and 1600. This portrait captures the likeness of Mathieu Mole, likely a notable figure of the era, rendered with the precision characteristic of Renaissance printmaking. Lasne, active during this dynamic period in French art, contributed to the growing tradition of portrait engravings that immortalized intellectuals, officials, and elites, making high art accessible beyond paintings. Crafted as an engraving on laid paper—a handmade sheet with distinctive chain lines visible under light—the work measures 25 x 19 cm on the plate and 34.5 x 25.6 cm overall. Engraving involved incising fine lines into a copper plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper, allowing for rich tonal contrasts and intricate details in Mole's features and attire. This technique was revolutionary for its reproducibility, spreading images across Europe and preserving likenesses for posterity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Prints department (CG-E) through the generous gift of John O'Brien, *Mathieu Mole* exemplifies the cultural role of prints in 16th-century France, bridging art and portraiture during the late Renaissance. Visitors will appreciate its technical finesse and historical snapshot of a bygone elite.

About the Artist

Michel Lasne · 1590–1667

Michel Lasne (ca. 1590–1667) was a French engraver, draughtsman, and collector who became one of the most prolific printmakers of the French Baroque period. Born in Caen around 1590, Lasne was the son of a goldsmith, which provided him with early exposure to metalworking techniques essential for engraving. His career spanned the reigns of Louis XIII and the early years of Louis XIV, during which h...