Artwork

Sorbin de Ste Foy

Sorbin de Ste Foy, by Thomas de Leu, 1594
Sorbin de Ste Foy, by Thomas de Leu, 1594

Sorbin de Ste Foy is a print by the Renaissance artist Thomas de Leu. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

His hands rest on a book or paper, and his face has a strong jawline and deep-set eyes.

This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man in his 50s. He wears a high-collared robe and a tall black hat with a flat brim. His hands rest on a book or paper, and his face has a strong jawline and deep-set eyes. The background is plain, but the edges of the oval frame are filled with Latin text.

The text around the oval reads *"Sorbin de Ste Foy"* and includes a date, 1594. The artist’s name, Thomas de Leu, is written below the image. This is an old-style portrait, likely made to show the man’s importance.

If you like this style, look up Renaissance.

Overview

Sorbin de Ste Foy is a 1594 engraving by Thomas de Leu, a French engraver of Flemish descent. The work is a portrait of a dignified, middle-aged man set within an oval frame, accompanied by Latin text and the artist's name.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Sorbin de Ste Foy, is depicted in a serious, contemplative pose, emphasizing his gravity and importance. The inclusion of a book or paper under his hands suggests intellectual or scholarly pursuits.

Technique & Style

Executed in black and white, the engraving showcases de Leu's printmaking skills. The composition, with its plain background, ornate oval frame, and Latin inscriptions, reflects an old-style portrait tradition reminiscent of Renaissance conventions.

History & Provenance

Created in 1594, during a period of burgeoning printmaking in Europe, the engraving is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

The piece was produced at a time when printmaking was expanding across Europe, facilitating the wider dissemination of images and, by extension, the subjects' reputations.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Thomas de Leu

Artist

Thomas de Leu

Thomas de Leu or Leeuw or Le Leup or Deleu (1560–1612) was a French engraver, publisher, and print dealer of Flemish origin.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.