Portret van Johann Wilhelm Baur

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual gallery, where we spotlight *Portret van Johann Wilhelmaur*, a delicate etching by Flemish printmaker Joannes Meyss, created between 1662 and1670. Meyssens (1612–1670), a master engraver from Antwerp, was renowned for his precise portrait prints that captured the likenesses of fellow artists, scholars, and. This intimate work (163 × 115 mm) depicts Johann Wilhelm Baur (1600–1640), a German painter and etcher celebrated for his landscapes and biblical scenes inspired by his time in Italy and Vienna. Likely a posthumous tribute, it reflects the 17th-century tradition of honoring artists through printed portraits, preserving their legacies for collectors across Europe. Etching, Meyssens' favored medium, involved drawing acid-resistant lines on a copper plate, immersing it in acid to etch the design, and then printing. This technique allowed for fine, expressive details—like Baur's thoughtful gaze and textured attire—making high-quality reproductions affordable and portable. In Antwerp's thriving print culture, tied to Rubens' workshop, such works fueled the art market and artist biographies. Adorning this piece is the collector's mark Lugt 2228, from Prosper Henry Liekens, a 19th–20th-century Belgian bibliophile. It hints at the print's esteemed provenance, underscoring its enduring appeal as a window into Baroque-era artistic networks. A gem for print enthusiasts!