Artwork
Gentleman Viewed from the Side
Gentleman Viewed from the Side is an ink print by the Baroque artist Edouard Eckman. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Gentleman Viewed from the Side is a 1621 woodcut by the Dutch printmaker Edouard Eckman. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a pair of figures dressed in voluminous, fur‑trimmed garments, moving side by side. The composition is rendered entirely in black ink, relying on line and contrast rather than colour to define the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts two men in elaborate, puffed attire, each topped with a tall, feather‑adorned hat and holding a staff. Their clothing, heavy with folds and fur, suggests a status of wealth or ceremonial function, while the parallel motion hints at a shared purpose or social connection between the figures.
Technique & Style
Eckman employed the traditional woodcut process: a design was incised into a wood block, inked, and then pressed onto laid paper. The method yields crisp, linear outlines and stark chiaroscuro, allowing the artist to emphasize the silhouette of the coats, boots, and hats despite the absence of colour.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in fashion and portraiture within the medium of printmaking. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is catalogued among Eckman’s surviving prints and is held in several European collections that specialize in early modern graphic art.
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