Prints by artist Anthony van Dyck (Flemish, 1599 – 1641) are featured in the museum’s newest exhibition. On view until Dec. 1, “A Perfect Model: Prints after Anthony van Dyck’s Portraits” features Van Dyck’s famous “Iconographie” series, which depicted more than 100 scholars, military leaders, politicians and nobles, and required the help of some of the best printmakers of the period to complete. Engravers worked on the series for years and only completed it after Van Dyck’s death in 1641. The exhibition press release explains further:
Born in 1599 in the Spanish Netherlands, Van Dyck made his mark as the leading court painter in England. He worked at a time when there was a high demand for people to immortalize who they were. His portraits were in some ways the carefully composed selfies of his day, seeming to capture a casual pose even as each gesture and object speaks to the sitters’ desire to project a certain image. Van Dyck’s fame as one of the leading portraitists of the period guaranteed him a full roster of clients and the admiration of fellow artists.
Nelda Damiano, the museum’s Pierre Daura Curator of European Art, organized the exhibition, selecting a range of subjects and the best impressions from the museum’s holdings of more than 50 prints made after Van Dyck’s work.
“It is always a pleasure to dig into the museum’s permanent collection and share with visitors works that are rarely exhibited. Van Dyck was a pivotal figure in the genre of portraiture, in its painted, drawn or engraved form. He had a keen sense of business and understood the reach prints could have since they could be easily published and circulated, an approach that had a great impact on generations of artists,” said Damiano.
Want to learn more about the artist? Mark your calendar for the following related events:
July 20 (10 a.m. to noon)
- Family Day: Portrait Party
- Just like the people they portray, all portraits are unique. Portraits feature many different styles, materials and poses. Explore the art of portraiture with interactive gallery activities, and paint your own portrait to take home.
August 22 (5:30 to 8 p.m.)
- Teen Studio: A Perfect Model
- Teens ages 13 – 18 are invited to this studio-based workshop led by local artist and educator Kristen Bach. Explore the galleries and make your own work of art inspired by the exhibition “A Perfect Model: Prints after Anthony van Dyck’s Portraits.” This program is free and includes a pizza dinner from DePalma’s Italian Cafe. Seats are limited; email gmoa-tours@uga.edu to register.
September 4 at 2 p.m.
- Curator Talk: Nelda Damiano
- Nelda Damiano, Pierre Daura Curator of European Art, will lead a tour of the exhibition “A Perfect Model: Prints after Anthony van Dyck’s Portraits,” which features prints that attest to Van Dyck’s lasting impact as printmaker and portraitist.
