Portret van Claude Lorrain 1768 - 1775

This is Richard Collin's engraving of Claude Lorrain, made sometime in the 17th century. Collin, working in France during the Baroque period, captures Lorrain, a prominent landscape painter, in a style that reflects the era's emphasis on detail. Consider the role of portraiture in solidifying the legacy of artists like Lorrain. As a landscape painter, Lorrain broke from traditional, history-focused subjects, developing instead alternative narratives around nature. Collin's engraving immortalizes Lorrain, giving visual form to his artistic identity. This portrait offers a glimpse into the social circles of artists during this time and highlights the way artists promoted one another through collaborative work. It captures the spirit of artistic innovation and the forging of reputations that shaped the art world. It makes me consider how we memorialize artists and artistic movements.