Allegorisch portret van Abraham Duquesne 1790 - 1816

This engraving, "Allegorisch portret van Abraham Duquesne," by Nicolas Ponce, is a tribute to French naval hero Abraham Duquesne. The central image depicts Duquesne's bust encircled by a laurel wreath, positioned on a plinth decorated with nautical symbols like anchors, cannons, and flags. The artwork's intricate details, including a scene of a naval battle and a view of a city, further illustrate the significance of Duquesne's achievements as a French admiral. Created in the late 18th or early 19th century, this engraving showcases the stylistic conventions of neoclassicism, characterized by its emphasis on clarity, order, and historical themes. This piece, held in the Rijksmuseum, is a fascinating example of how art was used to celebrate national heroes and their contributions to history.