Portret van Jean Baptiste Tavernier 1679 - 1699

Hendrik Causé’s engraving “Portret van Jean Baptiste Tavernier” (1679-1699) is a portrait of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant and traveler. The engraving shows Tavernier in a bust-length portrait within an oval frame. The image is in a simple style typical of engraving, using detailed hatching and lines to create the illusion of form and texture. Tavernier is portrayed wearing a jacket over a shirt and collar, his face is depicted with a slightly furrowed brow and a weathered look, reflecting his life of travel and exploration. The inscription beneath the image identifies Tavernier as a Chevalier Baron d’Aubon, and notes the year of his birth (1605). The work is an example of the art of portraiture popular in the 17th century, and provides a glimpse into the life of a renowned explorer and merchant of the time.