Portret van Christoph Ludwig Schwarzenau

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 159 mm (binnen de plaatrand afgesneden) x breedte 106 mm (binnen de plaatrand afgesneden)

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created by Elias Nessenthaler between 1674 and 1714, presents a formal portrait of Christoph Ludwig Schwarzenau. Measuring just 159 by 106 millimeters, the compact print exemplifies the intimate scale often favored for engraved portraits of the late Baroque period. Such works served as personal mementos or scholarly tributes, capturing the likeness of notable individuals for private collections or printed publications. Nessenthaler’s choice of engraving allowed fine lines and subtle shading to convey texture and depth within a small format. The technique, which involves incising designs into metal plates, enabled multiple impressions and helped spread images of distinguished figures across Europe during an era when printed portraits played a key role in documenting status and intellectual circles. Today the work offers a window into early eighteenth-century European portraiture, where engraving bridged art and communication. Its modest size and precise execution highlight how artists like Nessenthaler made refined likenesses accessible beyond the original painted canvas.