Artwork
Bust of an Old Man in Profile, Facing Right
Bust of an Old Man in Profile, Facing Right is an ink print by the Baroque artist Salomon Koninck. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bust of an Old Man in Profile, Facing Right is an etching on laid paper created by Salomon de Koninck in 1638. The work is a profile portrait of an elderly man, characteristic of the artist's focus on portraits and genre scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, an elderly man with wild gray hair and a thick beard, is depicted in a contemplative pose, his head tilted downward. This representation aligns with Koninck's use of elderly profiles to evoke philosophical or introspective themes.
Technique & Style
Executed using etching techniques, the piece features quick, loose lines that scratch into the metal plate, resulting in a rough, textured appearance when inked. This method contrasts with painting, emphasizing expressive, dark marks on light paper.
History & Provenance
Salomon de Koninck, born in Amsterdam in 1609, trained with multiple local artists and was associated with Rembrandt's circle. This etching reflects his training and connections within the Amsterdam art scene of the 1630s.
Context
Created within the Dutch Golden Age, the etching benefits from the period's advancements in printmaking. Koninck's work, with its warm and expressive qualities, contributes to the era's rich output of portraits and genre scenes.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Bust of an Old Man* are not highlighted, Koninck's overall body of work, including this etching, contributes to the understanding of 17th-century Dutch printmaking and its thematic preoccupations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salomon (de) Koninck (1609 – buried 8 August 1656) was a Dutch painter of genre scenes and portraits, and an engraver.
