Artwork
C'est le portrait de Guillery...
C'est le portrait de Guillery... is an ink print by the Baroque artist Abraham Bosse. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1639, this etching on laid paper bears the French title *C’est le portrait de Guillery…*.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1639, this etching on laid paper bears the French title *C’est le portrait de Guillery…*. Executed by Abraham Bosse, a notable French printmaker of the seventeenth century, the work is catalogued as a print and falls within the portrait tradition, naming an individual called Guillery as its subject.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents two male figures locked in a physical confrontation. The figure on the left, clothed in a long skirt and covered head, appears to be defending himself, while his opponent, wearing a hat and wielding a sword, presses the attack. A modest landscape of trees and structures forms the backdrop, underscoring the tension between the participants.
Technique & Style
Bosse employed fine etching lines on laid paper, allowing subtle gradations of tone that convey texture in clothing and flesh. The contrast between the dark, sharply rendered sword and the lighter drapery of the defender creates visual depth, while the delicate hatching in the background suggests foliage and architecture without detracting from the central drama.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Bosse’s prolific period when he was advancing French printmaking through both portraiture and genre scenes. Though the identity of Guillery remains uncertain, the work reflects the artist’s interest in documenting contemporary figures. It has been preserved in several European collections, illustrating the continued scholarly attention to Bosse’s early prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Bosse (c. 1604 – 14 February 1676) was a French artist, mainly as a printmaker in etching, but also in watercolour.
