Petavius (?)
1618
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1618
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Petavius (?) is a 1618 ink by Isaac Briot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a bearded man in a dark collar, framed by swirling decorative lines. Two small figures hold up the top corners like supports, and tiny faces peek from round medallions below. The background is packed with symbols—crosses, initials, and Latin words—all carved into the surface. The portrait looks like it was made by cutting into metal, a technique that lets artists create sharp lines and textures. The Latin text at the bottom might hint at who the man was or why he was important, but it’s hard to read without help. If you like this style, check out more about engraving.
