Artist: Contrary to the lettered inscription on this print, it is not based on a self-portrait by Caravaggio (The British Museum 1855,0609.174).
Engraver: Henri Simon Thomassin (French, 1688-1741).
Title: Portrait of Michelangelo da Caravaggio (Italian, 1571-1610). Best known for his dramatic effects of light and dark in his paintings.
Titled, Dated, and Signed in plate: Portrait du Caravage. Tableau peint par lui même, qui est dans le Cabinet' de Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans. haut de 3 pieds large de 2. gravé par H. Simon Thomassin [numbered on plate, lower right] '94'.
Dimensions: Platemark 9" x 5 1/2". Sheet 21 1/4" x 16".
Edition: Joseph Antoine de Crozat, Marquis de Tugny. Recueil d'Estampes d'après les plus beaux Tableaux et d'après les plus beaux Desseins qui sont en France dans le Cabinet du Roy, dans celuy de Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans, & dans d'autres Cabinets, Tome Second. Paris, 1742.
Materials and Techniques: Etching on laid paper.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Watermark: yes.
Condition: Left edge has cuts and holes from a binding cord. Wear to margins. Clean, bright impression. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Part of: [Known as the Cabinet de Crozat or Recueil de Crozat, Volume 2, No. 94].
Date: ca. 1710 - 1742.
Museums and Libraries: The British Museum 1855,0609.174. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 51.501.4834.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: French School XVIII C. Italian School XVI C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of similar items from the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art collections.