Portrait of Pieter Verbruggen (I) - Coenraad Lauwers

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Coenraad Lauwers depicting the Flemish sculptor Pieter Verbruggen (I) with his work.

This engraving by Coenraad Lauwers depicts the Flemish sculptor Pieter Verbruggen (I). The work is a classic example of seventeenth-century portraiture, capturing the subject with a focus on his professional identity. Verbruggen is shown holding a sculpted head, a visual reference to his craft as a sculptor of religious and decorative images in Antwerp.

Lauwers employs precise line work to define the textures of the subject's clothing, the architectural elements in the background, and the anatomical details of the sculpted head. The composition follows the conventions of the period, placing the sitter in a three-quarter view against a structured backdrop. The use of cross-hatching and varied line weights creates a sense of volume and depth, typical of the high-quality printmaking produced in the Low Countries during this era. The inclusion of the Latin inscription, 'Petrus Verbrugghen', identifies the subject and his profession, providing historical context for the viewer.

As a print, this piece offers a clear window into the artistic circles of Antwerp. The collaboration between the painter Erasmus Quellinus (who provided the original design) and the engraver Coenraad Lauwers was a common practice, allowing for the wider dissemination of portraits of notable figures. The print is executed with technical rigour, demonstrating the skill required to translate painted forms into the medium of engraving. It remains a valuable record of the appearance and status of a significant sculptor of the Flemish Baroque period.