Matthias van Sommer

Matthias van Sommer was an artist active during the mid-17th century, with his documented artistic output spanning the years 1660 to 1668. He specialized exclusively in graphic media, known primarily as a skilled printmaker and portrait engraver.

Van Sommer’s known oeuvre consists of fourteen prints currently preserved in museum collections, confirming his professional activity during the Dutch Golden Age period of graphic art production. His most significant institutional representation is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, establishing the credibility and enduring interest in his work.

The surviving works are almost entirely portraits, documenting specific European figures of the era. Notable examples of his output include the individualized engravings Portret van Heinrich Sibaeus, Portret van Georg May, Portret van Johann Joachim Persius von Lonsdorf, and Portret van Anton Schott. These museum-quality works showcase a meticulous approach to line and detail necessary for successful 17th-century printmaking.

While biographical details concerning Van Sommer are limited, the consistency of his output solidifies his position among the competent engravers of his time. Today, interest remains high in artists whose works document the period; resources derived from the documented output of Matthias van Sommer prints are widely sought for academic purposes. As these historical works are frequently held in the public domain, they are often digitized, ensuring continued access to high-quality prints.