An Old Man Reading

1642

Ferdinand Bol

Associated Names
Ferdinand Bol

Artist, Dutch, 1616 - 1680

The artwork depicts a man seated at a desk, engrossed in reading a large open book in front of him. He has a prominent nose, full beard, curly unkempt hair, and wears a textured robe. To his right, there is a large globe on a stand. The background shows detailed etching with light and shadow.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth B. Benedict

  • Dimensions

    plate: 21 x 16.4 cm (8 1/4 x 6 7/16 in.)
    sheet: 22.6 x 17 cm (8 7/8 x 6 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.60.5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 6, State iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Leroy-Latteux (died c. 1890), Amiens, France (Lugt 1744); Dr. Ruth B. Benedict (1913-1993), Washington; bequest to NGA, 1994.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, no. 25.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: no. 25.

Inscriptions

upper center in plate: F. bol f / 1642; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: VII; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 8

Watermarks

Pascal Lamb

Wikidata ID

Q75119193

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