Jan Snellinck, from the Iconography
before 1632
17th century
23.9 cm x 15.2 cm (9 7/16 in. x 6 in.)
Anthony van Dyck
(Antwerp, 1599 - 1641, London)
Primary
Object Type:
print
Artist Nationality:
Europe, Flemish
Medium and Support:
Etching
Credit Line:
Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, The Leo Steinberg Collection, 2002
Accession Number:
2002.1133
This is a unique plate as it was etched twice. Van Dyck painted stop-out varnish on the left and right edges of the plate to prevent acid from biting. Halfway through the etching process he removed the plate from the acid bath, added more varnish, and etched the plate again. The deeper bite resulted in thicker lines.
Painter, draftsman and tapestry designer, Snellinck was also a successful art dealer. He is depicted with a strong, proud stance and a focused gaze. Van Dyck shows him as a general, alluding to the subject matter, battle scenes and historical, for which he is best known.