Portret van Georg Wagner

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 306 mm x breedte 199 mm

Art Historical Context

"Portret van Georg Wagner" is a striking 17th-century engraving by Dutch artist Antony van der Does, created in 1646. Measuring 306 mm high by 199 mm wide ( size), this portrait captures the likeness of Georg Wagner, likely a notable figure of the era, rendered with the precision characteristic of Dutch Golden Age print. Van der Does, skilled engraver, specialized in such intimate portraits, which served as affordable reproductions of prominent individuals for a growing middle-class audience. Engraving, the medium here, involved incising fine lines into a copper plate with a burin, inking it, and pressing paper to transfer the image— a labor-intensive technique that allowed for rich tonal contrasts and intricate details. During the Dutch Golden Age, engravings democratized portraiture, preserving the faces of scholars, merchants, and leaders like Wagner amid a booming publishing industry in cities like Amsterdam and Haarlem. This work exemplifies the era's emphasis on realism and individuality, reflecting cultural values of legacy and remembrance. Visitors will appreciate its technical finesse, inviting a closer look at the subtle line work that brings Wagner's features to life.

About the Artist

Antony van der Does · 1609–1680

Flemish, 1609–1680