Portret van Pieter van Damme op 60-jarige leeftijd - Cornelis Bogerts

A formal eighteenth-century Dutch engraving by Cornelis Bogerts, depicting Pieter van Damme at age sixty within an oval frame.

This engraving by Cornelis Bogerts depicts Pieter van Damme at the age of sixty. The work follows the conventions of eighteenth-century Dutch portraiture, employing a formal oval frame set against a cross-hatched background. The subject is presented in a bust-length view, wearing a wig and period-appropriate attire. The artist uses precise line work to define the facial features, capturing the sitter with a sense of gravity and composure.

Below the oval portrait, a blank cartouche is integrated into the composition. This space was intended for an inscription, a common feature in prints of this era designed for inclusion in books or as independent commemorative sheets. The technical execution demonstrates the disciplined approach of the period, where the engraver relied on varying densities of lines to create shadow and volume. The contrast between the smooth skin of the subject and the textured fabric of his coat illustrates the control Bogerts exerted over the copper plate.

Cornelis Bogerts was active in the Netherlands during the late eighteenth century, a period when portrait engraving remained a primary method for documenting public figures and private citizens. This print provides a clear example of the formal portrait style favoured by the Dutch bourgeoisie. The composition is balanced and restrained, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation to focus entirely on the likeness of the sitter. The print is a representative example of the graphic arts produced in the Dutch Republic, reflecting the technical standards of the time. It remains a useful document for those interested in the history of Dutch portraiture and the development of engraving techniques during the late eighteenth century.