Portrait of Ulrik Huber – Dutch Legal Philosopher and Jurist, Engraving c.1700
€ 290
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1700
Mapmaker / artist
Anonymous, Netherlands, c.1700
Technique
Etching and engraving
Sheet size
23.2 × 18.6 cm (9.1 × 7.3 in)
Reference
BG-13185-99
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good impression on laid paper with wide margins. Some light toning and small marginal spots, particularly in the upper corners, but no tears or repairs. Strong plate mark and clean image area.
About this sheet
Portrait of Ulrik Huber – Dutch Legal Philosopher and Jurist, Engraving c.1700
This stately 18th-century portrait depicts Ulrik Huber (1636–1694), one of the most influential legal scholars of the Dutch Republic. Huber served as a professor of law at the University of Franeker and later as a judge at the Court of Appeal of Friesland. He is remembered for his contributions to political philosophy, natural law theory, and Roman-Dutch legal tradition—ideas that continued to influence European and colonial jurisprudence well into the 19th century.
The engraving shows Huber in formal academic robes, framed within an oval border draped in heavy cloth. His gaze is sharp and reflective, suggesting the intellectual seriousness of his profession. The base of the plinth is inscribed "Ulricus Huber Frisius J.C." (Ulrik Huber, jurist from Friesland), a reference to both his regional and professional identity.
This portrait, produced anonymously around 1700, was likely intended for inclusion in a series of notable Dutch thinkers or legal figures. It reflects the stylistic conventions of Dutch Enlightenment portrait engraving—precise, sober, and focused on dignified representation. The drapery and architectural setting lend a classicizing tone, common in representations of learned men during this period.
Huber’s major works include De Jure Civitatis and Heedendaegse Rechtsgeleertheyt, which synthesized Roman law with Dutch custom and laid foundations for South African and other colonial legal systems. His writings made lasting contributions to legal education and natural law debates across Europe.
This print would make an excellent acquisition for collectors of Dutch legal history, Enlightenment philosophy, and academic portraiture.
Framing tips: Display in a classic black or dark oak frame with a cream or parchment-toned mat to bring out the scholarly mood and detailed linework.
