Portret van Hans Caspar Hirzel

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portrait of Hans Caspar Hirzel** *Conrad Meyer, 1669* *Engraving, 247 × 152 mm* Step into the refined world of 17th-century portraiture with Conrad Meyer's *Portrait of Hans Caspar Hirzel* (1669), a delicate engraving that captures the likeness of a prominent figure from Zurich's intellectual circles. Meyer, a skilled Swiss engraver active during the Baroque era, specialized in precise, characterful portraits that bridged painting and printmaking. This work, measuring a modest 247 × 152 mm, exemplifies how engravings democratized elite imagery, allowing portraits of scholars, physicians, and patrons like Hirzel—likely a respected local notable—to circulate widely across Europe. Engraving's meticulous technique shines here: Meyer incised fine lines into a copper plate, inking and pressing it to produce rich tonal contrasts and intricate details in clothing, features, and expression. Far from mere reproduction, such prints were artistic feats, demanding mastery to convey depth and personality on a small scale. Produced amid the Dutch Golden Age's influence, it reflects the era's fascination with individuality and status. On the verso, a collector's mark (Lugt 2228) stamps its pedigree, linking it to esteemed 19th- and 20th-century connoisseurs and institutions like the Rijksmuseum. This quiet authentication underscores the artwork's enduring value as both historical document and technical marvel, inviting us to ponder Hirzel's world through Meyer's enduring lines.

About the Artist

Conrad Meyer · 1618–1689

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