Raffaello Menicucci
1643
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Claude Mellan
Claude Mellan (1598–1688) was a French artist, born in Abbeville.
See the richer artist page1643
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Raffaello Menicucci is a 1643 ink by Claude Mellan, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with a serious expression. His dark beard and mustache frame a strong face, and his hair is neatly combed back. He’s wearing a high-collar shirt with a textured fabric draped over his shoulder. The background is plain, keeping all focus on his face. The artist used tiny lines to build up shadows and light, giving the engraving depth. This was a common trick in Renaissance prints to mimic painting. Next, look up engraving to see how artists created such detailed images without paint.
Claude Mellan (1598–1688) was a French artist, born in Abbeville.
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