Portret van de kunstenaar Louis Royer

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This steel engraving, created in 1868 by Edouard Taurel, presents a formal portrait of the artist Louis Royer. Measuring approximately 30 by 21 centimeters, the work captures Royer with the precise linework characteristic of the medium, reflecting the 19th-century interest in documenting notable figures from the art world. Taurel’s choice of steel engraving allowed for fine detail and durability, making such portraits widely reproducible for prints and publications of the era. Steel engraving emerged as a favored technique during the Victorian period for its ability to produce sharp, long-lasting impressions on metal plates, often used to disseminate images of artists, writers, and public figures. Here, the portrait serves not only as a likeness but also as a record of artistic camaraderie, linking two practitioners through this intimate medium. The presence of the collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further situates the print within distinguished European collections, underscoring its value to connoisseurs who prized both the subject and the technical mastery involved. Together, these elements highlight how 19th-century printmaking bridged personal tribute and broader cultural preservation, inviting viewers to appreciate the quiet dialogue between artist and subject.

About the Artist

Edouard Taurel · 1824–1892

Charles Edouard Taurel (1824–1892) was a Dutch engraver and illustrator whose career exemplified the continued vitality of steel engraving and etching in the Netherlands during the nineteenth century. Working primarily in Amsterdam, Taurel specialized in portrait engravings of Dutch historical figures and topographical views of Amsterdam and its surroundings. His work served both commemorative fun...