Martin Vanden Bogaert Desjardins

Art Historical Context

This exquisite engraving, *Martin Vanden Bogaert Desjins* (1698), by the masterful Gérard Edelinck, captures the likeness of the renowned Dutch-French sculptor Martin Desjard (1640–1694). Created shortly after Desjardins's death, it serves as a tribute to his contributions to late Baroque sculpture, including grand works at Versailles like the tomb of Cardinal Richelieu. Edelinck, a Flemish engraver who rose to prominence in Louis XIV's France, was a leading figure in the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, celebrated for his ability to translate paintings and sculptures into prints with astonishing fidelity. The medium—engraving combined with etching on paper—highlights Edelinck's technical virtuosity. Engraving's precise burin lines provide sharp, intricate details in Desjardins's face, drapery, and attributes like sculptor's tools, while etching adds subtle tonal gradations for depth and lifelike modeling. Measuring a substantial 57.4 × 36.3 cm on the plate, this print was designed for connoisseurs, disseminating the sculptor's image across Europe during the height of absolutist patronage. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work exemplifies the era's print culture, bridging sculpture and graphic arts to immortalize artistic legacies. Visitors will appreciate its blend of portraiture and homage, a window into the glittering world of 17th-century French artistry.