The image displays an upper torso portrait of a person seated at a desk. The individual is facing forward with their body slightly turned to the right. They have a full head of curly hair that cascades down onto their shoulders, framing their face. They have a neutral expression. They are wearing a richly detailed, patterned robe over a light-colored shirt with ruffled cuffs at the wrists. One elbow is resting on the desk while the other hand holds a drawing or print. Various artistic instruments are laid out on the desk. In the background, there is a library shelf filled with large books, some with visible titles, and a draped curtain to the right.
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The image displays an upper torso portrait of a person seated at a desk. The individual is facing forward with their body slightly turned to the right. They have a full head of curly hair that cascades down onto their shoulders, framing their face. They have a neutral expression. They are wearing a richly detailed, patterned robe over a light-colored shirt with ruffled cuffs at the wrists. One elbow is resting on the desk while the other hand holds a drawing or print. Various artistic instruments are laid out on the desk. In the background, there is a library shelf filled with large books, some with visible titles, and a draped curtain to the right.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Bernard Picart

Nicolaas Verkolje, after Jean-Marc Nattier

Date
1715
Medium
mezzotint and engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 49.3 × 35.6 cm (19 7/16 × 14 in.) plate: 33.5 × 24.1 cm (13 3/16 × 9 1/2 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2021.39.5
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1701 to 1725
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Seated figure
  • inscription
  • calligraphic
  • Book
  • Portrait
  • Man
Provenance

(Paul Prouté, S.A., Paris); purchased 2020 by NGA.

Inscription

recto: in plate, below image: NEC VETERA aSPERNERE NEC INVIDEAS HODIERNIS. / BERNARDUS PICARTUS. Delineator & Sculptor, Stephani Picarti, cui / Romano cognomen, Filius, natus Lutetiae II. Junii anni MDCLXXIII à T. Marc / Nattier pictus anno MDCCIX & à N. Verkolje l.m. ere expressus Amstelodami MDCCXV; verso: none

Marks

none

NGA object ID 222923. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.