Artwork
Edmund Waller
Edmund Waller is a print by the Baroque artist Gerard Vandergucht. It dates from 1732 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The man’s portrait is the main focus, but the winged kids add a strange mix of power and playfulness.
This print shows a serious-looking man in a wig, framed in a circle. On either side, two small figures with wings and curly hair stand on clouds. One holds a scroll, the other points upward. The background looks like swirling sky.
The man’s portrait is the main focus, but the winged kids add a strange mix of power and playfulness. This print was made in 1732, and it’s a type of art called a *Baroque* print.
Look up Baroque next to see more art like this.
Overview
This 1732 engraving is a portrait of Edmund Waller, set within an oval frame and accompanied by two cupids.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Waller in a formal bust, with two cupids beside him, one holding drapery and the other gesturing upwards, adding a sense of reverence and playfulness.
Technique & Style
The print exemplifies the Baroque style, characterized by elaborate and dynamic composition, as seen in the swirling clouds and the cupids' poses.
History & Provenance
The engraving served as the headpiece for an article on Waller in the 1732 edition of Lord Lansdowne's works, indicating its original context as an illustrative element in a literary publication.
Artist & collection
