Artwork
Les divers pourtraicts et figures I (Title Page)
Les divers pourtraicts et figures I (Title Page) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Master AD. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Les divers pourtraicts et figures I is an early 17th‑century engraving, attributed to the anonymous Master AD. Executed around 1600, the print serves as a title page and features a decorative border framing two central figures and a circular inscription in French.
Subject & Meaning
The central scene presents two standing figures flanking a wreath that contains the title *Les Divers Pourtraicts* and a reference to the "habitants du Nouveau Monde," indicating a focus on the peoples of the Americas. One figure holds a scroll, while the other gazes upward with a composed expression, suggesting a scholarly or documentary intent.
Technique & Style
Carved on a metal plate, the work employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to render texture and depth, particularly in the intricate foliage border and the drapery of the figures’ garments. The swirling vines and leaves frame the composition, a common decorative motif in early modern title pages.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the enigmatic Master AD, the engraving is dated to circa 1600, a period when European interest in New World peoples was expanding. The print likely originated as part of a larger volume documenting these subjects, though the surviving context of the book remains unidentified.
Context
Produced during the early phases of European exploration, the image reflects contemporary curiosity about the Americas and the practice of compiling illustrated collections of foreign peoples. The use of French text situates the work within a Francophone publishing tradition.
Artist & collection
