Portret van Marcus Gerbezius

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Marcus Gerzius** by Elias Baeck is a refined 18th-century etching, produced sometime between 1705 and1747. Measuring a modest 175 mm high by 123 mm wide, this intimate portrait captures the likeness of Marcus Gerbezi, likely a notable figure from the period, rendered with the precision typical of Baeck's printmaking expertise. Baeck, an engraver active in the Baroque, specialized in detailed reproductive prints and portraits that bridged painting and graphic arts, making fine art more accessible to collectors and scholars. Etching, the medium here, involves coating a metal plate with acid-resistant ground, scratching lines through it, and immersing it in acid to etch the grooves. This intaglio technique allowed Baeck to achieve subtle tonal gradations and expressive lines, ideal for conveying personality in small-scale works like this one. Such prints were prized in the early 18th century for their affordability compared to paintings, circulating widely among Europe's intellectual elite. Adding to its allure, the verso bears a collector's mark stamped Lugt 2228, referencing Frits Lugt's catalog of ownership stamps. This provenance mark traces the artwork's history through distinguished collections, emphasizing its cultural staying power as a testament to 18th-century portraiture traditions. A gem for print enthusiasts!