Portrait of Cardinal Zacharias de Mez c. 1661

Jan Visscher's "Portrait of Cardinal Zacharias de Mez" is a 17th-century etching that depicts the Cardinal seated in a chair and holding a letter. The etching is characterized by its detailed rendering of the sitter's clothing and the surrounding environment, which includes a coat of arms, a crucifix, and a drapery. Visscher's work demonstrates the meticulous detail and skill typical of the Dutch Golden Age printmaking tradition, making this portrait an excellent example of portraiture etching. This piece is a part of the permanent collection of The Art Institute of Chicago.