Bartholomaeus Spranger

Netherlandish, 1546 - 1611

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This is a drawing of an allegorical scene featuring numerous symbolic figures and objects. The drawing is detailed and elaborate, with mythical and allegorical figures surrounding a framed portrait of a young woman. The young woman is elegantly dressed, and her portrait is held within an ornate frame adorned with foliage and symbolic motifs. Surrounding her are figures such as winged angels, a skeletal figure holding an hourglass and a scythe, and other characters associated with themes of time, mortality, and artistic endeavor. One figure appears to be an artist holding a palette and brushes, gazing out from the lower left. Above, a banner is held aloft by cherubs. The image is rich in symbolism, suggesting themes of time, impermanence, art, and knowledge in the style of the Northern Renaissance.
Aegidius Sadeler II, Bartholomaeus Spranger, Marcus Christoph Sadeler, Bartholomaeus Spranger and his Late Wife Christina Muller, c. 1600, engraving on laid paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.594

Bartholomaeus Spranger and his Late Wife Christina Muller

Aegidius Sadeler II, Bartholomaeus Spranger, Marcus Christoph Sadeler · c. 1600 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.594
The image portrays a detailed allegorical scene with multiple figures and intricate elements. In the center left, a man is depicted from the waist up, wearing a richly adorned garment with a high ruffled collar. His facial hair is styled in a moustache and pointed beard, and he has a serious expression. Behind him, angelic figures and allegorical beings hold various objects like trumpets and a scythe. On the right, an ornate oval portrait of a woman is shown from the chest up, adorned with a lace collar and neatly styled hair. She has a solemn and composed expression. Below the portrait, a cherub holds up a drapery that reveals a skull. Around the figures are items related to art and time, such as a painter's palette, an hourglass, and bones. The background is filled with elaborate ornamentation, including fruits and decorative elements, creating a rich visual environment.
Aegidius Sadeler II, Bartholomaeus Spranger, Bartholomaeus Spranger and his Late Wife Christina Muller, c. 1600, engraving on laid paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.593

Bartholomaeus Spranger and his Late Wife Christina Muller

Aegidius Sadeler II, Bartholomaeus Spranger · c. 1600 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.593
The image shows a person hanging from a tree branch. The person is standing on their tiptoes, gripping the branch with one arm. They have a detailed facial expression with closed lips and wavy hair flowing around their face and shoulders. The person's body is muscular and partly exposed, wearing draped clothing. The background features a textured, cross-hatched pattern, particularly on the tree trunk. Various lines in the image create depth and shadow.
Bartholomaeus Spranger, St. Sebastian, Bound to a Tree, c. 1589, etching on laid paper with handwritten note, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.152

St. Sebastian, Bound to a Tree

Bartholomaeus Spranger · c. 1589 · etching on laid paper with handwritten note ·  Accession ID  2012.92.152
Eight people and six horse heads are drawn in two rows with red and white chalk on tan-colored, horizontally oriented paper. Seven of the people are bearded and muscular. The eighth sits facing away from us, so the gender is unclear. The men twist, turn, bend over, and/or look up in different configurations across the sketches. Two horse heads are along the left edge of the sheet near the bottom corner, and the other four are spaced among the people in the bottom row. Most of the horses pull their chins back toward their powerful necks or twist their heads.
Bartholomaeus Spranger, Figure Studies, 1565/1575, red chalk and heightened with white on buff laid paper, Gift of Benjamin and Lillian Hertzberg, 2004.140.28

Figure Studies

Bartholomaeus Spranger · 1565/1575 · red chalk and heightened with white on buff laid paper ·  Accession ID  2004.140.28
This is a drawing of two figures embracing animals. The drawing features two intertwined figures in the center with elongated limbs and detailed facial expressions. There are animal elements included, with one figure seemingly holding a small animal or having animalistic features integrated with their form. The depiction of hair and features suggests a harmonious blend of human and animalistic characteristics. The artwork is framed with a plain border.
Johann Gottlieb Prestel, Sculpture, Painting, Architecture, 1782, etching, Rosenwald Collection, 1948.11.271

Sculpture, Painting, Architecture

Johann Gottlieb Prestel · 1782 · etching ·  Accession ID  1948.11.271
It is a drawing of mythical figures gathered in a wooded landscape. The scene depicts various figures interacting among themselves. The figures are satyrs and other mythological beings with human and animalistic features. They are surrounded by trees with mountains in the background. The figures are depicted in dynamic poses and expressive gestures, suggesting a lively moment. Monochrome shading is used to add depth and detail to the scene.
Andrea Scacciati, The Musical Contest Between Apollo and Pan, c. 1766, etching and sulfur tint printed in blue on laid paper, Gift of Andrée and Jonathan Bober, in honor of Andrew Robison, 2016.137.1

The Musical Contest Between Apollo and Pan

Andrea Scacciati · c. 1766 · etching and sulfur tint printed in blue on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2016.137.1
This is a drawing of a mythological scene with figures and creatures in a fantastical landscape. The drawing depicts numerous figures interacting in a dynamic composition. Central to the image is a scene involving humanoid figures interacting with serpentine creatures in the foreground. Above, winged cherubic figures playfully fly through the sky, carrying branches or wreaths. In the background, a cloud looms over the scene with a prominent figure seemingly directing the action below. To the far right, figures appear to gather or move with a backdrop of distant hills. The drawing showcases intricate details and fine lines, suggesting movement and vibrancy.
Jacob Matham, Jacob Matham, The Triumph of Neptune and Thetis, 1614, engraving on laid paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.540

The Triumph of Neptune and Thetis

Jacob Matham, Jacob Matham · 1614 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.540
The image is an engraving of a man's partial portrait within an oval border. He has a stern expression, a long beard, and a receding hairline with short hair on top. His attire appears traditional or historical with a ruffled collar. Surrounding the oval frame are other figures, including one on the left holding a staff and one on the right blowing a trumpet. Above the portrait, a cherubic figure holds a compass, while below, a putto leans over a skull. The scene is set on an ornate base with intricate designs and a text inscription at the bottom, against a dark backdrop.
Aegidius Sadeler II, Marcus Christoph Sadeler, Pieter Brueghel, the Younger, 1606, engraving on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.7625

Pieter Brueghel, the Younger

Aegidius Sadeler II, Marcus Christoph Sadeler · 1606 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.7625
The image shows a woman holding a child on her lap. The woman is seated to the left of the composition and is looking upwards. Her hair is styled in curls, and she wears a long flowing garment. The child on her lap is also looking up, with curly hair and dressed in a simple robe. To the right, another child with curly hair is holding a lamb. An older man with long hair and a beard stands behind the woman, gesturing with his hand. In the right background, an angel is playing a stringed instrument with large wings visible behind him. At the lower left, another winged figure is depicted holding a similar musical instrument. The background includes architectural elements like columns and draped curtains.
Lucas Kilian, The Holy Family and Two Angels, 1605, engraving on laid paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.538

The Holy Family and Two Angels

Lucas Kilian · 1605 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.538
The image depicts multiple figures in various poses. In the foreground, a man stands with his back to the viewer, facing a woman on his right. He wears a lion's head pelt as a helmet and a draped garment, while the woman holds a mirrored shield and wears a flowing garment. A bare figure kneels to the left, holding ropes. To the right, a child holds a serpent and a sword. More figures are seen in the background, sitting on rocks. The landscape includes hills, trees, and riders on horses in the distance, framed by leafy trees.
Jan Muller, Minerva and Mercury Arming Perseus, 1604, engraving on laid paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.579

Minerva and Mercury Arming Perseus

Jan Muller · 1604 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.579