Art Institute of Chicago

The Noble Painter

Abraham Bosse

Date

1642

Medium

Engraving, with etching, on ivory laid paper

Culture

France

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Abraham Bosse’s etchings of everyday life in France exude a subtle opulence. His bourgeois characters deck their walls with paintings and prints. Here even Louis XIII condescends to have his portrait painted by a well-heeled artist. Bosse drew a parallel between this depiction and the portrayal of Alexander the Great’s mistress by the ancient artist Apelles, who is depicted above the painter. According to legend, the resulting work was so exquisite that Alexander gave his mistress to Apelles, who was in love with her, but kept her portrait himself. This allusion emphasizes the artistry of Bosse’s ingenious printmaking techniques and his expectation of Louis XIII’s generosity.

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