Portret van Philipp Gerhard Grueling op 74-jarige leeftijd

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portrait of Philipp Gerhard Grueling at Years Old** *Simon Grimm, ca. 1667, Engraving, 175 × 133 mm* Step into the refined world of17th-century Dutch portraiture with Simon Grimm's delicate engraving of Philipp Gerhard Grueling, captured at the venerable age of 74. Created around 1667 during the Dutch Golden Age, this intimate portrait reflects the era's fascination with individuality and status. Grimm, a skilled Dutch engraver, immortalizes Grueling—likely a notable figure of his time—showcasing the period's emphasis on precise likenesses that honored merchants, scholars, and elders. Engraving, Grimm's chosen medium, was a masterful technique involving incised lines on a metal plate, inked and pressed onto paper. This labor-intensive process allowed for exceptional detail in small formats like this one, making high-quality portraits affordable and widely distributable. At just 175 by 133 mm, it evokes the tactile charm of collectible prints, perfect for albums or personal cabinets of curiosity. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228 (associated with esteemed 19th-century collector Pieter Cornelis Koning), this work bridges centuries, highlighting its enduring value. It invites us to ponder Grueling's life story while celebrating engraving's role in democratizing art during a golden era of innovation.