Portret van Pasquier Quesnel

About this artwork

mezzotint en gravure

Art Historical Context

This 1714 engraving, titled "Portret van Pasquiernel," was created by the Dutch printmaker Jacob G. Measuring 290 by 212 millimeters, the work combines traditional engraving with mezzotint techniques, as noted in its Dutch description. Gole was renowned for his skill in producing portraits that captured both likeness and character through the subtle tonal effects of mezzotint, which allowed for rich, velvety textures alongside the precise lines of engraving. Such mixed-media prints played a vital role in early eighteenth-century Europe by making images of notable figures more widely accessibl...

About the Artist

Jacob Gole · 1660–1737

Jacob Gole (c. 1660-1737) was a Dutch engraver and mezzotinter renowned for his portrait engravings and his role in disseminating the mezzotint technique across Europe. Born in Paris to the celebrated Huguenot cabinetmaker Pierre Gole, he emerged as one of the most skilled printmakers of the late Dutch Golden Age. Gole's significance in art history lies primarily in his mastery of the mezzotint t...