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Admiral Jan Cornelius Meppel of Holland

Reinier van Persyn

1668

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Admiral Jan Cornelius Meppel of Holland is a 1668 ink by Reinier van Persyn, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Reinier van Persyn
When & what style?: 1668 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a serious man in a dark coat, wearing a heavy gold chain around his neck. His right hand rests on a pile of weapons—swords, a trumpet, and a helmet—while his left holds a globe. Behind him, a fancy coat of arms sits above a swirling, decorative border, and ships float in the distant background. The text at the bottom names him as "Jan Cornelisz Meppel," an admiral. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and textures, making everything look detailed and dramatic. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved intricate images into metal.