Matthias de l'Obel

De l'Obel is portrayed holding a small plant, symbolizing his botanical contributions. A banner encircling his head bears Latin text, while two cherubs sit atop scrolls with additional inscriptions, contextualizing his achievements within a scholarly and possibly religious framework.

The engraving exhibits Delaram's technique, with precise rendering of the figure contrasting with a less detailed background. Decorative elements, including cherubs, round crests, and scrolls, reflect the influence of the Flemish school, potentially indicative of training under Cornelis Boel.

Francis Delaram, an English engraver active from circa 1615 to the 1620s, created this work. His oeuvre includes portraits, landscapes, and illustrations, notably for William Camden’s Historie. The engraving is signed by Delaram and dated 1615.

Created during the early 17th century, this engraving sits within the broader context of scientific and scholarly illustration of the time, highlighting the intersection of art and emerging botanical knowledge.

While specific lasting impacts of this engraving on art or botany are not prominently documented, it remains a representative example of early 17th-century English engraving and the commemoration of scientific figures through art.