Portret van Peter Werenfels

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 205 mm (binnen de plaatrand afgesneden) x breedte 150 mm (binnen de plaatrand afgesneden)

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created by the Swiss artist Johannes Meyer II between 1699 and 1712, offers a refined portrait of Peter Werenfels. Executed in the medium of engraving on paper, the work measures 205 by 150 millimeters within the plate mark. Such prints were highly valued in the early modern period for their ability to reproduce detailed likenesses with remarkable precision, allowing images of notable individuals to circulate widely among scholars, collectors, and institutions. Meyer’s technique highlights the fine lines and subtle tonal contrasts typical of engraving, a process that required great skill to translate a painted or drawn original into a durable printed form. The modest scale suggests the portrait may have been intended for inclusion in books, personal albums, or private collections rather than as a large standalone display piece. Today, the work stands as a testament to the enduring role of printmaking in preserving historical memory. Its clean composition and careful attention to the sitter’s features invite viewers to reflect on both the individual portrayed and the artistic culture of late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century Europe.