Artwork
Capitana del Armata de Colco
Capitana del Armata de Colco is an ink print by the Baroque artist Balthasar Moncornet. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Capitana del Armata de Colco is an etching on laid paper created by Balthasar Moncornet in 1634. It is one of around 45 portraits of prominent figures produced by the French artist.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a military vessel, likely a flagship, with a busy crew on deck. The title, translating to 'Captain of the Colchian Fleet', suggests the ship's importance and possibly its commander's.
Technique & Style
The black-and-white print showcases Moncornet's skill in capturing detail and drama. The ship is rendered with intricate decorations and a dynamic atmosphere, enhanced by swirling smoke and clouds.
Context
Moncornet's work reflects the portraiture and printmaking practices of mid-17th-century France, a period when such techniques were used to document and disseminate images of notable figures and events.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Moncornet (1600, Rouen – 1668, Paris) was a French painter, engraver, and tapissier revered for his depictions of around 45 different prominent figures of the 17th century.
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