Francois Hannibal

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This 1655 engraving by Jean Frosne presents a portrait of François Hannibal, capturing the formal likeness of its subject in the refined tradition of seventeenth-century printmaking. Created during a period when engravings served as an essential means of circulating images of notable figures across Europe, the work demonstrates the medium’s capacity for precise line work and subtle tonal gradation on a modest scale. At just 210 by 137 millimeters, the print was well suited for inclusion in personal albums or private collections, allowing viewers intimate access to a distinguished individual. The presence of the collector’s stamp “Lugt 2228” on the verso further enriches the sheet’s story, marking its passage through distinguished hands and underscoring the long-standing appreciation for such prints among connoisseurs. Engravings like this one bridged the worlds of courtly portraiture and wider public knowledge, preserving both the appearance and status of their sitters long after the original painting or drawing might have faded from view. Today it offers visitors a tangible connection to the artistic and social networks of Baroque Europe.

About the Artist

Jean Frosne · 1630–1700

Jean Frosne (circa 1614–after 1682) was a French engraver whose career spanned much of the 17th century, producing portraits, landscapes, and ornamental prints during the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Born around 1614 (originally named Jean Froonens, son of a Flemish tapestry maker from the Gobelins), Frosne emerged from humble origins to become an accomplished engraver whose works documente...