Portret van François Duquesnoy

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 240

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual gallery, where we encounter *Portret van François Duquesnoy*1751), a refined portrait engraving by Dutch artist Pieter van Bleeck. Measuring a modest 354 mm by 245 mm on paper, this intimate work captures the likeness of François Duquesnoy a prominent 17th-century Flemish Baroque sculptor famed for his elegant, classical-style figures in Rome. Duquesnoy, often called the "Flemish Bernini," contributed masterpieces like his St. Andrew in St. Peter's Basilica, blending precision with Italian grandeur. Van Bleeck, an accomplished engraver active in London and Amsterdam, excelled in mezzotint—a technique he mastered for its velvety tones and dramatic lighting, ideal for reproducing portraits with lifelike depth. Created a century after Duquesnoy's death in 1646, this print likely served as a homage, preserving the sculptor's legacy for collectors and scholars during the Enlightenment's renewed interest in classical antiquity. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 240 (associated with 18th-century English connoisseur John Skippe), the piece reflects the era's passion for old-master prints. It invites us to appreciate how such works bridged artistic generations, making Renaissance and Baroque icons accessible in homes and cabinets of curiosity. A testament to enduring admiration!

About the Artist

Pieter van Bleeck · 1700–1764

Probably born in the Hague. He was a painter of portraits and is particularly remembered for his portraits of actors in their roles. He was also an engraver and made engravings after works by Murillo, van Dyck, Rembrandt, Lely, and others. Comment on works: Portraits; theatrical scenes