Portret van Pieter Mortier I 1735 - 1807

This engraving, created by Dutch artist Hendrik Pothoven between 1735 and 1807, depicts Pieter Mortier I, a prominent Dutch cartographer and publisher. The artwork, located in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Mortier standing in a room lined with bookshelves, emphasizing his intellectual pursuits. His hand rests on a stack of books, and he holds a pair of dividers, tools essential for his work. The globe in the background further underscores Mortier's connection to geography and mapmaking. Pothoven's meticulous detail, evident in the intricate book spines and the textured surfaces, renders the portrait both realistic and visually engaging.