Portret van Leonhart Werdtmiller

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This engraved portrait, created in 1709 by the Swiss artist Johannes Meyer II, captures Leonhart Werdtmüller in a formal and dignified manner typical of early eighteenth-century European printmaking. Meyer, part of a prominent Zurich family of engravers, in precise line work that depth and texture to his subjects. At245 by 161 millimeters, the modest scale suggests the work was intended for private collections or inclusion in printed books, where such portraits helped preserve the memory of notable individuals. Engraving as a medium allowed artists like Meyer to reproduce detailed likenesses with remarkable clarity, making portraiture accessible beyond the elite circles who could afford painted originals. The presence of collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further attests to the print’s journey through distinguished holdings, underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. Through this work, viewers glimpse both the sitter’s status and the technical artistry that defined Swiss graphic traditions at the turn of the century.