Portrait of Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, Johannes Wierix, 1572

Portrait of Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, Johannes Wierix, 1572

engraving, h 203mm × w 123mm More details

Less than fifteen years after his death, Vermeyen was included in a series of portrait prints of the most famous Netherlandish artists. While he had made his reputation with his art, he was also known for his striking appearance. According to a contemporary, Vermeyen’s beard was at least a metre long. The background in this print refers to Emperor Charles v’s campaign to conquer Tunis, in which Vermeyen took part as an artist.