Hieronymus Wierix

Hieronymus Wierix’s fine manner of engraving and its unique characteristics are best understood when looking at his portraits. Here, Wierix relied on the white of the sheet to produce highlighted areas. His sitter has features formed from a decorative application of flicks and dots. If the engraved line itself is less substantial than those engravings that came before or after, Wierix’s description of texture and naturalistic detail, especially from a distance, achieves a subtlety rarely duplicated. Contemporary collectors recognized the fine manner’s refinement as well as its delicacy, and often requested that particular subjects be executed in this “sweet” style.

The Duchess of Verneuil was the second mistress of King Henry IV of France and bore him two children. The verses compare her beauty and grace to that of the gods.