18th Century Mezzotint Portrait of Nicolaas Witsen, Mayor of Amsterdam, Holland

Description

A fine portrait of Nicolaas Witsen, mayor of Amsterdam, head and shoulders to left; wearing an impressive traditional wig, robe … more A fine portrait of Nicolaas Witsen, mayor of Amsterdam, head and shoulders to left; wearing an impressive traditional wig, robe and necktie; in lettered oval coat of arms with shields, weapons - including an axe and bundles of scrolls in a decorative border.
Mezzotint. Lettered with title in oval border: "Consul Amstelodamensis Ætatis LX.", and in the ribbon at the bottom "Per Fasces / et Aquilas.".
On handmade paper and loosely mounted to another sheet of handmade paper. The assembly loosely mounted to a matted board.
Printed in the early 18th century.
Condition is very good for age. Minor dis-coloration seen in places mainly on border areas.
Signed at the lower left in the plate.
This/these prints would look so right in a study, lawyers office, judges chambers or a legal firm.
Listed by East2West Furniture.
**Please note we have several others for sale should a 'set' of prints be required. Keep an eye on our site for them.

Exposed image size: 10 1/2" x 7 1/4". Matting is 15" x 11". Original paper is 10 3/4" x 7 1/2".
Further reading: Mezzotint was the first tonal process to be used in printmaking and allowed the engraver to do produce subtle shadings utilizing half-tones without the need for line-or dot-based techniques less