Portret van Maria von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Maria von Hohenzoll-Sigmaringen** is a delicate etching by Belgian artist Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels, in 1882. just 230 mm high by 161 mm wide, this intimate captures Maria, a member of the prominent Hohenzollern-Saringen family—a noble lineage tied to European royalty, including branches in Germany and Romania.iels, known for his precise reproductive engravings, renders her likeness with the finesse typical of 19th-century portraiture, highlighting her status through elegant pose and attire. Etching, the medium here, involves coating a metal plate with acid-resistant ground, scratching lines through it, and immersing it in acid to "bite" the grooves. This intaglio technique allowed for rich tonal contrasts and fine details, making it ideal for reproducing aristocratic portraits in limited editions. Produced during the Belle Époque, when printmaking bridged fine art and dissemination of elite imagery, this work reflects the era's fascination with royal heritage amid shifting European dynasties. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228—indicative of esteemed provenance—this piece underscores its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. It offers visitors a window into late 19th-century nobility, preserved through Michiels' masterful lines. (198 words)