Man leunend op stok

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2233

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching, created by Dutch artist Pieter de Mare in 1779, captures a solitary figure leaning on a walking stick. Measuring just 128 by 76 millimeters, the small scale suggests it may have been as a book illustration or part of a print series intended for private collectors. De Mare, active during the late Enlightenment, worked primarily in etching, a medium that allowed for precise line work and tonal subtlety through controlled acid biting on copper plates. The subject—a man at rest—reflects the period’s interest in everyday human gestures and character studies, common in Dutch graphic art. Etchings like this one played a vital role in disseminating imagery affordably across Europe, bridging the gap between original drawings and wider audiences. The presence of collector’s mark Lugt 2233 further hints at its journey through distinguished print collections, underscoring the enduring appeal of such modest yet finely crafted works.