Cornelis van Noorde

This spirited portrait engraving by Cornelis van Noorde shows his teacher, the Haarlem portrait and history painter Frans Decker (1684–1751). Based on a drawing by Tako Hajo Jelgersma (1702–1795), another Haarlem painter and draughtsman, Decker is shown in half length looking out at the viewer with an alert gaze. A painter’s stick, a palette with brushes and a rolled-up sheet of drawing paper form an ornamental frame. The portrait, which has been executed in a refined, detailed etching technique, is distinguished by its vividness and sensitive psychological characterisation. A superb, rich, early impression before letters. With even margins. From the collections of J. Michelin (Lugt 1490) and R. de Perthuis (L. 4237).