Who painted Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain?

Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain was painted by Cornelis Galle I in 1613.

Where can I see Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain?

Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain?

Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain

Cornelis Galle I , 1613

Leonard Lessius, Jesuit Priest, Professor at Louvain is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Cornelis Galle I. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1613 engraving by Cornelis Galle the Elder portrays Leonard Lessius, a Jesuit priest and theologian.

About this work

Overview

This 1613 engraving by Cornelis Galle the Elder portrays Leonard Lessius, a Jesuit priest and theologian. The black-and-white print depicts Lessius seated at a cluttered desk, surrounded by books and scrolls.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows Lessius engaged in scholarly activity, holding an open book and gesturing as if in explanation. The surrounding objects convey his intellectual pursuits and devotion to his work as a professor of theology at the University of Louvain.

Technique & Style

Galle's engraving technique is characterized by sharp lines that create texture, shading, and depth. Fine lines build up dark and light areas, giving the image a sense of volume and dimensionality, evident in the rendering of Lessius's robes and the surrounding furniture.

History & Provenance

Cornelis Galle the Elder, trained by his father Philip Galle, was an Antwerp-based engraver and printseller. After studying in Rome, he returned to Antwerp to produce works after his own designs and those of other artists.