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Portrait du Caravage (Portrait of Caravaggio)

Henri Simon Thomassin

1714

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Portrait du Caravage (Portrait of Caravaggio) is a 1714 ink by Henri Simon Thomassin, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Henri Simon Thomassin
When & what style?: 1714 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a man with a beard and loose robes, holding a small painting of another bearded face. In his lap sits a skull, its empty eye sockets staring up. The lighting is dramatic, with deep shadows and stark contrasts. The text at the bottom calls it *"Portrait du Caravage"*—meaning it’s meant to be Caravaggio—but this is actually an engraving by someone else. The skull might hint at the idea of mortality, a common theme in art. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists used lines and shading to create depth.