Leonardos Philaras 

This is a portrait engraving of Leonardos Philaras, a 17th-century scholar, by French artist Claude Mellan. The engraving is a close-up portrait, showing Philaras in three-quarter view, with detailed attention to his facial features and clothing. The precise date of creation is unknown, but Mellan’s distinctive, highly detailed style, known as “burin” engraving, is evident in this print. The inscription below identifies Philaras as a “Savant Illustre” (Illustrious Scholar) and notes his position as envoy of the Duke of Parma to the court of Louis XIII.