Artwork
Gellius de Bouma
Gellius de Bouma is a print by the Baroque artist Cornelis Visscher. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis de Visscher’s print titled Gellius de Bouma dates from around 1656 and is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a solitary, elderly figure rendered in a restrained palette, set against a dark, textured backdrop that emphasizes the sitter’s presence.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays an aged man with a long white beard, seated in a chair and dressed in a dark, high‑collared robe. His hands are clasped before him and his gaze is directed downward, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation or inner reflection.
Technique & Style
Executed in the chiaroscuro tradition, the print employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure’s facial features and hands, creating a sense of three‑dimensionality. Fine line work captures the deep furrows on the forehead and around the eyes, enhancing the portrait’s realism.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, Gellius de Bouma has remained in public ownership, currently residing in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its attribution to de Visscher aligns with his known output of detailed portrait prints from the Dutch Golden Age.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Visscher (1629 in Haarlem – 1658 in Haarlem), was a Dutch Golden Age engraver and the brother of Jan de Visscher and Lambert Visscher.
