Portret van Johan van der Does

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This steel engraving by Edouard Taurel presents a formal portrait of Johan van der Does, the 16th-century Dutch nobleman, poet, and statesman who played a notable role in the early stages of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Created between 1841 and 1879, the print measures just over 20 by 13 centimeters and reflects the 19th-century interest in reproducing earlier historical likenesses for wider audiences through affordable graphic media. Steel engraving, the technique employed here, allowed for exceptionally fine lines and durable printing plates, making it ideal for detailed portraiture that could be published in books or collected individually. Taurel’s precise handling of the medium captures the dignified bearing and period costume associated with van der Does, translating an earlier painted or drawn source into a crisp, reproducible image suited to 19th-century scholarly and public interest in national history. The presence of collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further situates the print within distinguished private holdings, underscoring how such engravings served both as works of art and as documents preserving the visual record of important historical figures for later generations.

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...