Anthony van Dyck, Michel Le Blon, c. 1645 |
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| Artist: | Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641) |
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| Title: | Michel Le Blon, c. 1645 |
| Medium: | Original Engraving |
| Image Size: | 11 1/4 in x 7 1/4 in (28.6 cm x 18.4 cm) |
| Sheet Size: | 11 7/8 in x 7 3/4 in (30.2 cm x 19.7 cm) |
| Framed Size: | approx. 23 in x 19 3/4 in (58.4 cm x 50.2 cm) |
| Edition: | A Mauquoy-Hendrickx State IV (of IV) engraved by Petrus de Ballu in collaboration with Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp, 1559 - London, 1641). |
| Signature: | Signed in the plate 'Cavallier van D?c pinxit' in the lower left; also signed 'Theo: Matham fculpsi' in the lower right. |
| Condition: | This work is in good condition; creasing throughout; slight tape remnants on verso in upper corners. |
| ID # | w-3741 |
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Price on Request
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A wonderfully detailed and charismatic portrait, this exquisite work illustrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of Van Dyck. Michel Le Blon's stately yet approachable expression reflects Van Dyck's refined ability to comfort and relax his subjects, resulting in a realistic and acute portrait. Le Blon was a German goldsmith and engraver who worked in the Netherlands and England. His earlier work consisted of ornaments suitable for jewelry but evolved greatly over time. In 1611, he published a series of 14 plates of ornament for goldsmiths' work: borders and friezes with exotic animals and plants. He also created engravings for decoration on knife and sword handles as well as shields and strapwork designs. Van Dyck depicts Le Blon against an intricately rendered cross hatched background with one hand on his hip and the other upon his chest. He has thick, curly hair, a round face, and upturned moustache, appearing with a sparkle in his eye as he gazes out in three quarter profile.
This portrait is a Mauquoy-Hendrickx State VI (of VI), engraved by Theodor Matham (1589 - ?) in collaboration with Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp, 1559 - London, 1641) as part of his Iconographie series of engraved portraits of famous people at the time. The plate has been marked in the lower left of the plate "Cavallier van D?c pinxit" and in the lower right "Theo: Matham fculpsit." Beneath the engraved portrait is the inscription: Michel le Blon Agent | de la Ro?ne et Couronne de Suede | chez Sa Maté de la Grande Bretagne. This piece is printed on a fine paper with an unidentified watermark.
DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1) Mauquoy-Hendrickx. L'Iconographie d'Antoine Van Dyck: Catalogue Raisonne I. Bruxelles: Bibliotheque Royale Albert I, 1991. Listed as catalogue no. 183 on pg. 207 - 208.
2) Mauquoy-Hendrickx. L'Iconographie d'Antoine Van Dyck: Catalogue Raisonne II. Bruxelles: Bibliotheque Royale Albert I, 1991. Illustrated as catalogue no. 183 on pg. 114.
3) A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.
ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, this piece is framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.
