Portret van Jan Gossaert - Hendrick Hondius (I)

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Hendrick Hondius (I) depicting the painter Jan Gossaert, complete with a Latin inscription.

This engraving by Hendrick Hondius (I) depicts the painter Jan Gossaert, also known as Mabuse. Hondius, a prominent Dutch engraver and publisher, produced this portrait as part of a series documenting the lives and appearances of notable artists. The work reflects the technical precision characteristic of seventeenth-century Dutch printmaking, employing controlled hatching and cross-hatching to define form and texture.

Gossaert is shown in a three-quarter view, wearing a soft, pleated cap and a garment with decorative trim. His expression is steady, and his posture is relaxed, with one hand tucked into his clothing. The background features simple architectural elements, which provide a sense of space without distracting from the subject. Below the portrait, a Latin inscription identifies the sitter as 'Ioanni Mabusio, Pictori' and includes a laudatory verse praising his skill as a painter.

The print demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship associated with the Hondius workshop. The lines are clean and deliberate, creating a clear distinction between the light and shadow on the sitter's face and clothing. This portrait serves as a historical record of Gossaert, who was a significant figure in the transition from the late Gothic style to the Renaissance in the Low Countries. The inclusion of the text block is a standard convention for portrait series of this period, intended to provide context and scholarly weight to the image. The paper shows signs of age, consistent with its production in the early seventeenth century, and the composition remains balanced and orderly.