Who created "Boy Reading a Book"?

Boy Reading a Book was created by Wallerant Vaillant in mid-17th century.

When was "Boy Reading a Book" created?

This artwork was created mid-17th century.

What medium is "Boy Reading a Book"?

Boy Reading a Book is Mezzotint; second state of two.

Is "Boy Reading a Book" in the public domain?

Yes, Boy Reading a Book is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Boy Reading a Book

Wallerant Vaillant

mid-17th century

Image not available — this artwork is under copyright

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Medium

Mezzotint; second state of two

Dimensions

plate: 5 5/8 x 4 3/4 in. (14.3 x 12.1 cm)

Classification

Prints

Department

Drawings and Prints

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1956

Accession Number

56.605.3

Art Historical Context

In the hushed intimacy of the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department, Wallerant Vaillant's *Boy Reading a Book* (mid-17th century captures a tender moment from the Dutch Golden Age. small-scale mezzotint—measuring just 5 5/8 x 4 3/4 inches—depicts a young boy absorbed in his book, evoking the era's emphasis on education and quiet domestic life. Vaillant, a Dutch painter and printmaker (1623–1677), produced this work as the second state of two, a detail that print enthusiasts appreciate for its subtle refinements during the printing process. What makes this piece revolutionary...

About the Artist

Wallerant Vaillant · 1623–1677

Wallerant Vaillant (1623-1677) was a French-born Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker who pioneered the mezzotint technique in printmaking. Born in Lille on May 30, 1623, he died in Amsterdam on August 28, 1677, leaving behind a significant legacy as both a portraitist and innovator in graphic arts. Vaillant holds a distinguished place in art history as one of the first professional artists to...

Boy Reading a Book

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