Bust of a Young Man with a Feather Cap - Christoffel van Sichem I

A detailed 1613 woodcut portrait by Christoffel van Sichem I, after a design by Jacob Matham, depicting a young man in a decorative feathered cap.

This woodcut, dated 1613, displays the technical precision characteristic of Christoffel van Sichem I, a Dutch engraver and printmaker active during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The work is based on a design by Jacob Matham, as indicated by the inscription 'I Matham.In.' in the lower margin, while the attribution to Van Sichem is confirmed by the 'Sichem.scalps.' signature.

The composition presents a bust-length portrait of a young man, his gaze directed away from the viewer. He wears an elaborate cap adorned with feathers and a central decorative element, reflecting the fashion of the period. The artist employs a dense system of hatching and cross-hatching to define the contours of the face, the texture of the hair, and the folds of the fabric. This method creates a sense of volume and depth, despite the inherent limitations of the woodcut medium.

Van Sichem was known for his ability to translate complex painterly designs into the stark, linear language of the woodblock. The lines are controlled and deliberate, providing a clear distinction between the light and shadow across the subject's features. The background is kept relatively simple, consisting of vertical lines that frame the figure and draw attention to the subject's expression. This print serves as a representative example of the collaborative nature of print production in the Netherlands during this era, where designers and master cutters worked in tandem to produce works for a growing market of collectors and enthusiasts. The work remains a clear demonstration of the technical rigour applied to portraiture in the early seventeenth century.