Title: |
Nathanael Dilgerus Aetat circiter 75 (Nathanael Dilger at about Age 75) |
Artist: |
Edelinck, Gerard (Antwerp, 1640 - Paris, 1707) |
Date: |
1683 |
Medium: |
Original Line Engraving |
Note: |
Gerard Edelinck: Along with Robert Nanteuil
and Antoine Masson, Gerard Edelinck is placed in the select company of
the greatest masters of French art from the golden age of seventeenth century
portrait engraving. Born in Antwerp Edelinck first studied engraving techniques
there under Cornelis Galle. In 1665 he came to Paris to conclude his education
under Francois de Poilly. In both cases the student quickly surpassed the
skills of his masters and within several years the painter, Le Brun, recommended
Edelinck to none other than King Louis XIV. Consequently Edelinck was granted
the title, 'Engraver to the King' and received prestigious apartments at
the Gobelins. In addition he was also the Professor of Engraving at the
Gobelins Academy. Gerard Edelinck became a French citizen in 1675, a Royal
Academician in 1677, and, shortly thereafter, received the order of Chevalier
of Saint-Michel. As a result of his highly skilled art, Gerard Edelinck
amassed a considerable fortune. |
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The graphic oeuvre of Gerard Edelinck consists of slightly under 400 engraved plates. Of these the majority are, of course, portrait engravings. His subjects constitute the 'who's who' of later seventeenth century France and Europe. He engraved the portraits of such famous artists as Charles Le Brun, Israel Silvestre, Robert Nanteuil, Abraham Bloemaert and Hyacinthe Rigaud, and of writers, musicians, theologians and scientists such as Blaise Pascal, Jean de la Fontaine, Nicolas de Blampignon and Charles Mouton. Edelinck also engraved many prominent members of the aristocracy, including fourteen portraits of King Louis. A few include, the portraits of Cardinal Caesar D'Estrees S.R.E., Gregoriius de la Forge Generalis Totius Ordinis S. imae Trinitatis et Redemptionis Captivorum, Carolus Mauritius Le Tellier Archiepis, Nicolaus de Malezieu Dombarum Cancelarius, James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James II, of England, His Royal Highness James Prince of Wales, Jacobo Magnae Britanniae, Jacques Benigne Boussuet, and others. This original engraving depicts a portrait of Nathanael Dilgerus at age seventy five (with long white hair and beard), turned to the right and facing forward in an oval frame. This impression is titled, signed and dated in the plate by Edelinck under the portrait, "Nathanael Dilgerus - Aetat circiter 75. G. Edelinck Sculp. C.P.R. 1683". It is a striking example of the portrait art created by the French portrait artist, Gerard Edelinck. |
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Leigh Hunt writes, |
|
"Edelinck was one of the greatest masters of pure engraving.
He never used etching or dry-point on his plates, and of the four hundred
that he produced there is not one that is poor or second-rate. Edelinck's
work was epoch making: he revolutionized engraving, abandoning lines that
crossed to form squares for lozenge forms. Further, he massed his lines
and changed their direction, thus avoiding the monotony that had marked
all previous work in France. Edelinck had all the merits of his predecessors
and, besides, rendered texture, colour, and light and shade as they never
before had been rendered. His strokes were clear and bold, and the results
beautifully finished, harmonious and silvery. His proofs were the first
to possess the quality called technically by engravers 'colour'." *
|
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A Biographical Note: Nathanael Dilger (Danzig, 1604 - Marz, 1679) was the leading, senior Lutheran Minister for the city of Danzig. This portrait depicts Nathanael Dilger at about Age 75 (with long white hair and beard), turned to the right and facing forward in an oval frame. This impression is titled, signed and dated in the plate by Edelinck under the portrait, "Nathanael Dilgerus - Aetat circiter 75. G. Edelinck Sculp. C.P.R. 1683". The British Museum of Art, Registration Num ber 1868,0822,968, and The Cleveland Museum of Art, art/1949.96 both include an impression of Nathanael Dilgerus in its permanent collection. |
Reference: |
* Leigh Hunt, Gerard Edelinck, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05281a.htm |
Size: |
12 1/2 X 8 3/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate,
height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
|
Matted with 100% Archival Materials |
Condition: |
Printed upon fine hand-made, 17th century laid paper and
with margins extending about 1/2 of an inch from the plate-mark on all
sides. Titled, signed and dated in the plate by Edelinck under the portrait, "Nathanael Dilgerus - Aetat circiter 75. G. Edelinck Sculp. C.P.R. 1683". Containing
one scrape mark to the upper center margin (outside the actual image),
else a richly printed impression bearing all the fine lines of an early
printing. Nathanael Dilgerus represents a prime, original example of the
superb engraved art of Gerard Edelinck. |
Price: |
Sold - The price is no longer available. |
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