Artwork
Title Page
Title Page is an ink print by the Baroque artist Herman van Swanevelt. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Title Page is a modestly sized etching executed by the Dutch artist Herman van Swanevelt in 1628. Rendered on paper, the work presents a single, centrally placed figure whose posture and accessories suggest a decorative frontispiece rather than a narrative scene. The composition’s compact format and clear line work make it a representative example of early 17th‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a figure with tightly curled hair clutching a scroll, its facial features rendered as a smooth, mask‑like surface. The absence of expressive detail on the face directs attention to the act of holding the scroll, evoking the notion of a title page or introductory sheet that announces the contents of a book.
Technique & Style
Van Swanevelt employed drypoint, a process that involves incising lines directly into the metal plate with a sharp needle. This method leaves a characteristic burr, visible in the print as slightly fuzzy, scratchy lines that retain a crispness of edge. The resulting texture highlights the artist’s control over line and his preference for a stark, graphic aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The etching is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., where it is catalogued among the museum’s early modern prints. Its inclusion in this public institution reflects the work’s survival through several centuries and its relevance to studies of Dutch printmaking and the oeuvre of van Swanevelt.
Artist & collection
