Portret van Johann Hildebrand Withof op 61-jarige leeftijd

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portrait of Johann Hildebrandof at Age 61This elegant engraving, titled *Portret van Johann Hilde Withof op 61 leeftijd*, captures the dignified likeness of its subject by Dutch artist Nicolaus Mettel 1755 and 1778. Rendered in the precise medium of engraving—an intaglio technique where intricate lines are incised into a metal plate and inked to produce detailed prints—this 303mm × 210mm portrait exemplifies 18th-century European printmaking. Engravings like this were prized for their ability to disseminate images widely, making portraits of notable figures accessible beyond the elite. Withof, depicted at 61, likely represented the intellectual circles of the Dutch Enlightenment, where scholars and professionals commissioned such works to commemorate their legacies. Mettel's skilled line work would have emphasized Withof's features with fine hatching and cross-hatching, lending a sense of realism and gravitas typical of period portraiture. The artwork's historical significance lies in its role as both personal memento and cultural artifact, preserving a moment from the Age of Reason. A collector's mark (Lugt 2228) on the piece hints at its esteemed provenance, linking it to discerning 18th- or 19th-century collectors. Today, it invites us to ponder the lives of unsung figures whose portraits endure through masterful craftsmanship.