The Noble's Plea: A German Aristocrat in Supplication, 1847
€ 130
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1847
Sheet size
27 × 18 cm (10.6 × 7.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13635-16
Condition
Good. Overal very light toning and light soiling but the image itself clean and hand-colored almost 200 years ago and still in expliciet colors. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue, mostly around the edges. Study the image carefully.
About this sheet
The image depicts a figure labeled as "Noble Allemand," which means "German Noble." The nobleman is shown kneeling on one leg, with his hands raised in what could be a gesture of exclamation, surprise, or an act of communication.
He is wearing a doublet in rich red with a slashed yellow sleeve, which allows a contrasting fabric underneath to show through—a fashion that was popular among the European aristocracy in the 16th century. His attire is adorned with what appears to be gold embroidery or trim, signifying wealth and status. The hat lying on the ground beside him is also red, consistent with the color of his doublet, and features the same golden embellishments.
The nobleman's expression is focused and animated, suggesting a moment of earnest conversation or declaration. His pose and attire convey a sense of drama, typical of portrayals of the nobility in historical artworks where gestures were often exaggerated to convey emotion or status.
Egg whites can be applied as a varnish over pigments to enhance their brightness and to protect the colors. This application could make the colors appear more vivid and also add a slight glossy sheen to the surface of the image.
Egg yolk, on the other hand, was commonly used as a binding agent in paint. It forms the basis of tempera paint, a medium that was widely used before the advent of oil painting. Egg yolk helps to create a durable and long-lasting color that adheres well to various surfaces.
In the context of the print from 1847, it's less likely that egg whites or yolks were used directly on the print, as by that time, commercial printing processes would have been more advanced and less reliant on such manual methods. However, if this print is a representation of an earlier style or is meant to mimic the appearance of hand-painted manuscripts, the original artists might have employed techniques or materials that gave a similar effect to those achieved with egg-based binders and varnishes.
