A Young Man Playing a Psalterium

c. 1600

Christoffel van Sichem I after Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Christoffel van Sichem I

Artist, Dutch, 1546 - 1624

Hendrick Goltzius

Artist After, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

The image shows the upper half of a person's body, including the head and upper torso. The person is seated and turned slightly to the side, looking over their shoulder directly at the viewer with a neutral expression. They have distinct facial features with a broad nose and are depicted with shoulder-length, wavy hair that peeks out from under a large, elaborate hat. The hat appears to be adorned with feathers and a decorative band. The individual is dressed in a finely detailed garment featuring puffed sleeves and intricate embroidery or trimming along the neckline. Surrounding them is another person, positioned slightly behind and to the side, wearing a draped hood that frames their face. There are also several other figures in the background, some wearing similar attire with headdresses. The setting appears to be an interior or a balcony-like space with architectural elements, such as columns and a railing, visible in the background. The entire composition is rendered in a detailed, line-based style typical of woodcuts or engravings of the period.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth B. Benedict

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to borderline): 30.8 x 21.6 cm (12 1/8 x 8 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.60.60

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 734, State only


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

G. Storck (1766-1836), Milan (Lugt 2319)[1]; Dr. Ruth B. Benedict (1913-1993), Washington; bequest to NGA, 1994.
[1] in pen on verso of print: G. Storck a Milano 1798 / In. No. 825

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, no. 6.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Hendrick Goltzius, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 734.

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: no. 6.

Inscriptions

upper left in block: HG / CVSichem. / Scalp. et. / excub.; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 17 (twice); by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: DTMMLHAX; by later hands, lower left verso in graphite: P / No 4 / A20286

Watermarks

present but not identified

Wikidata ID

Q75119149

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