Portret van Anne Killigrew

About this artwork

height 259 mm x width 185 mm

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual gallery, where we spotlight *Portret van Anne Killrew*, a delicate engraving by Dutch artist Abraham Bloteling, created sometime between 1672 and1690. Measuring mm in height by mm in width, this portrait captures the likeness of Killigrew, an poet and painter who shone in the Restoration era before untimely death at age . Bloteling, known his precise reproductive engrav, likely drew from a painted original to honor this multifaceted talentEngraving, a meticulous intaglio technique, allowed Bloteling to render fine lines and intricate details on copper plates, producing rich tonal contrasts ideal for. This medium was hugely popular in the Dutch Golden Age and beyond, enabling widespread dissemination of elite images across Europe. The work reflects the era's fascination with accomplished women, as Killigrew served as a court painter and inspired tributes like John Dryden's elegy praising virtues and artistry. Culturally, this portrait bridges English literary circles and Dutch printmaking, preserving Killigrew's legacy amid the Baroque emphasis on elegance and transience. A reminder of 17th-century genius cut short, it invites us to appreciate both the subject’s sparkle and the engraver’s craft. (198 words)

About the Artist

Abraham Bloteling · 1640–1690

Comment on works: portraits; painter, engraver