Head of Christ / The Sudarium (Veil) of Saint Veronica
About this artwork
The engraving process was developed from the technique used by goldsmiths to decorate metalwork and employs a hardened steel tool, called a burin, to cut the design into the surface of a metal plate. Mellan was one of the leading engravers of his time and produced this print to showcase his exceptional technical virtuosity. The entire image has been formed using a single engraved line, which spirals outwards from the centre, the changing width of the line producing the contours.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Claude Mellan (1598 - 1688) French
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title:Head of Christ / The Sudarium (Veil) of Saint Veronica
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date created:1649
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materials:Engraving on Paper
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measurements:Platemark: 42.80 x 31.20 cm
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object type:
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accession number:P 5980
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gallery:
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subject:
Claude Mellan
Claude Mellan
Claude Mellan began engraving during his early twenties and became one of the leading engravers of his day. As well as a prolific engraver, he was also a painter, a draughtsman and a much sought after portraitist. He developed his own distinctive and technically complex style of engraving which...