H. Augustinus
Theodor van Merlen (II)
1619 - 1672
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
259; 136
About this artwork
collector's mark: Lugt 240
Art Historical Context
Behold *H. Augustinus*, a striking 17th-century engraving Flemish artist Theodor van Merlen () (1619–1672). Likely depicting Saint Augustine of Hippo, a pivotal early Christian theologian and philosopher, this portrait captures the saint's revered image during the Baroque era in Antwerp, where van Merlen worked as part of a noted family of engravers. 259 × 136 mm, its intimate scale invites close contemplation, reflecting the period's emphasis on devotional art amid the Counter-Reformation. Crafted as an engraving—a precise intaglio technique where lines are incised into a metal plate and ink...