Portrait of a 24-Year-Old Man, Hendrick Goltzius, 1583
engraving, d 5.4cm More details
Hendrick Goltzius engraved numerous small oval portraits on silver or gold plates. Although impressions were pulled from them, the printing plate – such as this silver medallion – was the object that really mattered. This is one of only two known extant engraved silver portrait medallions. One gold example has survived. Fortunately, impressions of many lost engraved medallions have been preserved.
