Minerva and Mercury Arming Perseus

1604

Jan Muller, after Bartholomaeus Spranger

Associated Names
Jan Muller

Artist, Netherlandish, 1571 - 1628

Bartholomaeus Spranger

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1546 - 1611

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.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 56.2 × 39.7 cm (22 1/8 × 15 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 60.6 × 43.6 cm (23 7/8 × 17 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.579

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 69, State iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Georg Usslaub [1845-c.1929], Marseille (Lugt 1221). (Frederick Mulder, London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased May 5, 1992; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2013

  • Northern Mannerist Prints from the Kainen Collection, NGA, 2013 - 2014.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 59, ii/ii

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (The Muller Dynasty, Jan Piet Filedt Kok, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 69, iii/iii

Inscriptions

in image, at bottom left: B. Sprangers inuentor.; below image: Quid sibi vult Perseus? Sibi quid Cyllenius? addit / Alarum pedibus par, tegit ense latus. / Dîa quid hic Pallas? dat munera singula Quaenam? / Aegida. Quid? celer ad Gorgonis ora volet.; below image, at left: Ornatissimo juxtà ac Prudentissimo viro / Henrico Spieghel L. F. studiorum bonarumque / artium patrono. / L. M. Q. D. D. Ianus Muller sculptor.; below image, at right: JMuller excud. Amstelodami. / .DD.D C. IV.

Wikidata ID

Q76557228

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