Portret van Johann Melchior Wyss

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portrait of Johann Melchior Wyss** *Conrad Meyer, 1678–1689, engraving, 230 × 149 mm* This finely detailed engraving captures the likeness of Johann Melchior Wyss, a figure from late 17th-century Switzerland, rendered by the skilled Zurich-based artist Conrad Meyer. Active during the Baroque era, Meyer (1629–1689) was renowned for his precise portrait engravings of scholars, clergy, and notables, often commissioned for books or private collections. Created between 1678 and 1689, this work exemplifies the period's emphasis on individuality and status, preserving Wyss's dignified presence through intricate line work that conveys texture in clothing, hair, and facial features. Engraving, Meyer's favored medium, involved incising designs into a copper plate for intaglio printing, allowing exceptional fidelity and tonal depth unattainable in woodcuts. At 230 × 149 mm, the modest scale made it ideal for intimate display or dissemination, reflecting how prints democratized portraiture amid Europe's growing print culture. Such works bridged art and scholarship, circulating images of influential figures across borders. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228—linked to esteemed European holdings—this piece underscores its historical value, tracing provenance through centuries of connoisseurship. A testament to Baroque technical mastery, it invites visitors to appreciate the enduring craft of engraving.

About the Artist

Conrad Meyer · 1618–1689

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