Vanitas Still Life in a Niche
17th century
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
Mezzotint; second state of two
Dimensions
plate: 8 13/16 x 6 7/16 in. (22.4 x 16.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1981
Accession Number
1981.1148
Tags
About this artwork
Wallerant Vaillant (1623-1677), a pioneering master of the mezzotint technique, created this powerful vanitas still life that exemplifies Dutch Golden Age meditations on mortality and the transience of earthly pleasures. Born in Lille and trained in Antwerp, Vaillant became one of the first professional printmakers to work extensively in mezzotint, producing over 200 high-quality prints using this revolutionary tonal technique that he helped develop alongside Prince Rupert of the Rhine. This sec...
About the Artist
Wallerant Vaillant · 1623–1677
Wallerant Vaillant (1623-1677) was a French-born Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker who pioneered the mezzotint technique in printmaking. Born in Lille on May 30, 1623, he died in Amsterdam on August 28, 1677, leaving behind a significant legacy as both a portraitist and innovator in graphic arts. Vaillant holds a distinguished place in art history as one of the first professional artists to...