Artwork
Federico Barocci
Federico Barocci is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Antoine Aubert. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Antoine Aubert’s 1823 print presents a monochrome portrait of the Italian painter Federico Barocci. Executed as an engraving with stipple on wove paper, the image confines the sitter within a circular frame against an unadorned backdrop. The composition emphasizes the subject’s aged features, notably a long white beard and tightly curled hair, conveying a solemn demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Barocci, a late‑Renaissance artist celebrated for his dynamic compositions and vibrant color. By focusing on the painter’s lined face and serious expression, Aubert underscores the intellectual gravity associated with Barocci’s legacy, inviting viewers to contemplate the passage of artistic influence across centuries.
Technique & Style
Aubert employed traditional engraving methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto wove paper.
Aubert employed traditional engraving methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto wove paper. The stipple technique—clusters of fine dots—softens shadows and renders subtle tonal gradations, giving the portrait a near‑sculptural depth despite its black‑and‑white palette. The precise line work highlights textures such as the beard’s hair and the creases around the eyes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1823, the print reflects early‑19th‑century interest in commemorating historic artists through reproducible media. While the original plate’s whereabouts remain undocumented, copies of the engraving have appeared in several European art collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs and its role in disseminating Barocci’s image beyond Italy.
Artist & collection
