Georg III Thurzo of Bethlendorf 1607

This portrait of Georg III Thurzo of Bethlendorf was created in the late 16th or early 17th century by Aegidius Sadeler II using black and red chalk, with white heightening on blue paper. Sadeler's choice of chalk, a readily available material, allowed him to create a likeness that emphasizes texture and form through subtle gradations of tone. The blue paper serves not just as a ground, but as an active participant in the image, modulating the hues of the chalk. Note how Sadeler uses white heightening to catch the light on Thurzo's fur-trimmed hat and collar, creating a tactile sense of opulence. The relatively modest size of the drawing suggests a context of intimacy and personal exchange, aligning with a growing market for portraiture among the rising merchant class. The artist's skilled manipulation of humble materials transforms a simple portrait into a window onto the social dynamics of his time, bridging the realms of craft and fine art.