Medaille met het portret van Ludevicus Timon de Kempenaer - Abraham Hulk

A detailed eighteenth-century engraving by Abraham Hulk, depicting a commemorative medal portrait of the Dutch official Ludevicus Timon de Kempenaer.

This engraving depicts a commemorative medal featuring the portrait of Ludevicus Timon de Kempenaer, a figure of political note in late eighteenth-century Netherlands. The work is executed with the precision characteristic of Dutch printmaking from this period. The central circular medallion contains a bust-length portrait of the subject, rendered in profile and three-quarter view, wearing the formal attire and powdered wig typical of the era. The surrounding text within the medal border provides identification and context, noting his role as a councillor and deputy of Alkmaar in 1787.

Abraham Hulk, a Dutch engraver, demonstrates a high degree of technical control in this piece. The use of fine lines to create shading and texture within the small circular format requires significant skill. The portrait captures the subject with a formal, composed expression, reflecting the gravity often associated with civic portraiture of the time. The surrounding paper remains largely empty, which draws the eye directly to the detailed medallion. This composition is typical of commemorative prints intended for inclusion in historical records or personal collections of political ephemera.

The print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch Republic during a period of political tension. Such medals were often produced to celebrate or document the status of local officials. The clarity of the engraving ensures that the subject remains recognisable, while the formal presentation aligns with the aesthetic standards of the late eighteenth century. This piece is a fine example of how printmakers translated the three-dimensional form of a metal medal into a two-dimensional graphic medium, preserving the likeness and the accompanying inscriptions for posterity. The work remains a valuable record of both the individual and the artistic techniques employed by Hulk during his career.