Artwork
Portrait of Marcantonio Raimondi
Portrait of Marcantonio Raimondi is a print by Nicolas Auguste Leisnier. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1850 print on paper portrays Marcantonio Raimondi, a renowned engraver, in a composition originally attributed to the Renaissance artist Raphael. The portrait features Raimondi with a serious expression, wearing a black hat, white collar, and dark doublet against a plain background, with decorative swirls adorning the edges.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Marcantonio Raimondi, was a prominent engraver, suggesting the print honors his professional stature. The serious demeanor and traditional attire may reflect the respect accorded to his craft during the Renaissance and beyond.
Technique & Style
Executed by Nicolas Auguste Leisnier in the 19th century, the print blends Renaissance composition (attributed to Raphael) with 19th-century printmaking techniques. The use of black and white emphasizes the subject's features and attire, while decorative edges add a touch of ornateness.
History & Provenance
Created in 1850 by Leisnier, the print's provenance is not detailed here, though its creation in the 1800s indicates a 19th-century appreciation for Raimondi's work. The attribution of the composition to Raphael underscores a historical link to the Renaissance.
Context
Similar prints can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, contextualizing this work within a broader collection of 19th-century prints that revisit and reinterpret earlier artistic themes and figures.
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Artist & collection
Artist
This 19th-century French painter once gave up portraiture after a subject complained his likeness made them look "too awake." He only returned to brushes when a friend bet he couldn’t capture a sleeping child without a single line of the…
