Johan the Elder of Nassau
Unknown Artist
1776 to 1800
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 11 × 11 cm (4 5/16 × 4 5/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1950.14.731
Art Historical Context
Step into the intimate world of 18th-century printmaking with *Johan the Elder of*, a delicate engraving from between 1776 and 1800. This small portrait, measuring just 11 × 11 cm, captures the likeness of a member of the prominent House of Nassau—a noble lineage with deep roots in European history, linked to Dutch stadtholders and even British royalty through figures like William III. Created by an unknown artist during a time of political upheaval, including the American Revolution and rise of Enlightenment ideals, it reflects the era's fascination with historical figures and lineage. Engra...