Who painted Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits?

Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits was painted by Dutch 17th Century in 1621.

Where can I see Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits?

Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits?

Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits

Dutch 17th Century , 1621

Sheet of Seven Roundels with Portraits is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Dutch 17th Century. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a small print composed of seven circular portrait medallions, each presenting a profile view of a male figure.

About this work

Overview

The work is a small print composed of seven circular portrait medallions, each presenting a profile view of a male figure. Arranged in a linear sequence, the roundels are rendered with precise, clean lines that give the impression of coinage. The print reproduces the designs originally struck in silver, translating them from metal to paper.

Subject & Meaning

Each roundel depicts an individual in profile, a convention typical of classical portraiture on medals and coins. The anonymity of the figures suggests a focus on the formal qualities of the portrait type rather than specific identification, emphasizing the conventions of honorific representation common in early modern commemorative art.

Technique & Style

The image was created by engraving the design into a silver medal, then inking the incised lines and pressing the metal onto paper. The engraving employs fine cross‑hatching to render shading and texture, producing a crisp, highly detailed surface that mirrors the sharpness of the original metal relief.

History & Provenance

The print originates from a series of reproductions made by copying existing medallic designs, a practice that allowed wider dissemination of portrait imagery. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is catalogued as an example of early printmaking that bridges numismatic and graphic arts.