Portret van Jean-Baptiste Madou

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Madou by Joseph Arnold Demanne is a delicate engraving that captures the likeness of the renowned Belgian painter and lithographer Jean-Baptiste Madou (179–1877). Created sometime between 1836 and1902, this intimate portrait reflects the 19th-century fascination with honoring fellow artists through printmaking. Demannez, a skilled engraver, pays tribute to Madou, known for his vibrant genre scenes, caricatures, and depictions of Flemish life, immortalizing him in a format that allowed wide dissemination among collectors and admirers. Measuring just 160mm by 111mm, the work exemplifies the precision of engraving—a technique where an artist incises fine lines into a metal plate, inks it, and presses paper to transfer the image. This method produced sharp, detailed portraits ideal for small-scale appreciation, highlighting facial features and expressions with remarkable clarity. Such engravings were prized in the era for their affordability compared to paintings, bridging fine art and popular culture. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228, this piece traces its provenance to a distinguished 19th-century collection, underscoring its enduring value. For visitors, it offers a window into Belgium's artistic golden age, where prints like this fostered a shared cultural heritage.