Aether

1588/1590

Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

The image depicts a person standing with a dynamic pose. One hand is raised upwards and the other is pointing downwards. The individual's body is exposed with well-defined muscles. They are wearing a flowing piece of drapery attached from one shoulder. The person's face is angled upwards with finely carved facial features. They have curly hair and an object resembling antlers or tree branches on their head. No jewelry is visible. The background features swirling patterns resembling clouds, creating a dramatic setting around the figure. The oval framing adds to the sense of movement and energy in the composition.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chiaroscuro woodcut in gold, olive and black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (oval): 34.7 × 26.5 cm (13 11/16 × 10 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4635

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein 1996, no. 299, State b/c

  • Series Title

    Gods and Goddesses [Hirschmann 367-372]

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1977

  • Paper in Prints, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1977, no. 86.

Bibliography

1921

  • Hirschmann, Otto. Verzeichnis des graphischen Werks von Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617) mit Benutzung der durch E.W. Moest hinterlassenen Notizen zusammengestellt. Leipzig: Verlag von Klinkhardt und Biermann, 1921. Reprint. Braunschweig: Klinkhardt &Bie

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-: no. 299, b/c.

Inscriptions

recto: in black block at lower center: HG. fe.; verso:at lower center in graphite in later hand: B. 234 / Dut. 234 / H. 274; at lower right in graphite in later hand: KK 792

Markings

recto: none; verso: Z stamped in black ink [unidentified, Lugt 2678f] and National Gallery of Art

Watermarks

to be identified

Wikidata ID

Q64957581

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