Portret van Sigismund Spöndli

About this artwork

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Art Historical Context

This 1678 engraving by Swiss artist Conrad Meyer captures a formal portrait of Sigismund Spöndli, rendered with the precise line work characteristic of 17th-century printmaking. Meyer, known for his detailed portraits and illustrations, worked primarily in Zurich and employed engraving to create durable images that could be widely distributed. The modest dimensions of 252 by 152 millimeters suggest it may have been intended for inclusion in a book or as a standalone collector’s print. Engraving was a significant medium during the Baroque era, allowing artists to reproduce likenesses of notable figures with remarkable clarity and texture. Here, Meyer’s technique highlights the subject’s features through fine hatching and cross-hatching, lending depth and formality to the composition. Such portraits often commemorated individuals of local or scholarly importance, preserving their memory for posterity. As a product of its time, the work reflects the growing role of printed imagery in documenting prominent citizens across Europe. Today it offers viewers a glimpse into 17th-century conventions of representation and the enduring appeal of engraving as both an artistic and documentary practice.

About the Artist

Conrad Meyer · 1618–1689

Comment on works: Portraits; Figures; Landscapes