After Bloemaert, Study of Man with Jug, 1700s, Etching

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Bloemaert Style Figure Study – Man with Jug, 18thC Dutch Etching, Van den Bosch Etching by Anthonie van den Bosch … Read more Bloemaert Style Figure Study – Man with Jug, 18thC Dutch Etching, Van den Bosch Etching by Anthonie van den Bosch after Abraham Bloemaert, not to be confused with the chiaroscuro woodcut versions by Hermanus Fock, executed from a different plate. This etching is a strong, well-inked impression with crisp plate mark, indicating an early to mid printing from the plate. A refined and intimate 18th-century etching depicting a characterful half-length figure holding a jug, executed by Anthonie van den Bosch (1763–1838) after a composition by the influential Dutch master Abraham Bloemaert (1564/66–1651). This evocative genre study reflects Bloemaert’s enduring impact on later printmakers, translating his expressive figure style into a lighter, linear graphic language. The composition presents a man in a soft cap, turned slightly in profile, his gaze directed outward while he grips a rounded vessel with both hands. The simplicity of the scene is deceptive; the expressive linework captures subtle facial features and gesture, lending the figure a quiet narrative presence. The restrained use of line, combined with delicate shading, gives the print an almost sketch-like immediacy—suggesting it may have been intended as a study or adaptation of Bloemaert’s original design. Van den Bosch, active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was known for translating earlier Dutch Golden Age compositions into accessible prints. His interpretation here is notably more structured and somewhat stiffer than the freer, more painterly chiaroscuro woodcut versions produced by Hermanus Fock (1766–1822), offering collectors an interesting comparative perspective between two printmakers engaging with the same source material. The print sits elegantly within wide margins, emphasizing its status as a collected sheet—possibly from a portfolio or academic series of studies after Old Masters. The warm tonality of the paper, combined with light age patina, enhances its decorative appeal, making it particularly suitable for understated, classical interiors or curated gallery walls. The print is tipped in loosely in a light matting board for protection. A fine example of Dutch revival printmaking, this piece bridges the 17th-century artistic tradition of Bloemaert with the refined sensibilities of late 18th-century graphic art, appealing to collectors of Old Master prints, Dutch art, and characterful genre studies. Condition: Good antique condition with even age toning to the paper and some light foxing within the image area. Wide margins preserved. Overall well-preserved impression. Framing tips: Beautifully suited to a warm-toned mount such as ivory or soft cream with a thin gold or dark walnut frame. A slightly wider mat will enhance the intimacy of the central image and elevate its presence on the wall. Technique: Etching Maker: Anthonie van den Bosch, Netherlands, after Abraham Bloemaert, c. late 18th century See less