Artwork
Charles Bernard
Charles Bernard is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Michel Lasne. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Bernard is an engraving on laid paper created by French artist Michel Lasne in 1628. The work is a portrait of Charles Bernard, a subject Lasne depicted in multiple engravings during this period.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts an older man, Charles Bernard, characterized by a full beard and deep-set eyes, dressed in a high-collared, buttoned robe. The subject's identity beyond Lasne's engravings is not specified in available information.
Technique & Style
Lasne employed fine, intricate lines to achieve detailed shading and textures, hallmark techniques of engraving. The image is surrounded by decorative, scroll-like text framing the portrait.
History & Provenance
Michel Lasne, trained under Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck in Antwerp, created this work before his 1633 appointment as official engraver to King Louis XIII in Paris. Specific provenance details for *Charles Bernard* are not provided.
Context
Created during Lasne's pre-court engraver period, *Charles Bernard* reflects his training in the Antwerp tradition, later influencing his work in Paris. The engraving demonstrates Lasne's skill prior to his royal appointment.
Legacy
While *Charles Bernard* showcases Lasne's technical proficiency in engraving, its broader impact or significance within Lasne's oeuvre or the broader art historical context is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michel Lasne (Caen, ca. 1590–4 December 1667, Paris), was a French engraver, draughtsman and collector. Lasne was born in Caen and was the son of a goldsmith. He was a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp for…
