The Scales of Marriage

c. 1592

Workshop of Hendrick Goltzius, after Karel van Mander I

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Related Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

Karel van Mander I

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1548 - 1606

The image shows several figures dressed in detailed period clothing. One central seated figure holds a small chest or box and wears a ruffled collar, an elaborate hairstyle, and a hat. Surrounding this figure are others also dressed in historical clothing, with feathered hats, cloaks, and puffed sleeves. A cherub-like figure stands on the right holding a staff or rod. The background features a patterned floor, a brick wall, wooden beams, and scales. In the foreground, there are objects like scales and cylindrical items on the ground.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving and letterpress on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 24.2 x 17.1 cm (9 1/2 x 6 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 39.7 x 27.1 cm (15 5/8 x 10 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2004.2.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 96, State i/iii

Associated Artworks

See all 6 artworks
The image shows three figures: one standing and two sitting. The standing figure is leaning forward with a walking stick, wearing a hooded garment. The two seated figures are interacting closely on a bench. The man on the left has curly hair and a wide-brimmed hat, while the man on the right wears a cap and holds a spherical object. In the background, there are trees and a thatched-roof building, suggesting a rural setting. The image is framed by a border with Latin text and a stamp at the bottom.

Do Not Spend Your Savings Too Soon

1590

Six Proverbs

1590

The image features three figures seated at a table. They are positioned closely together. The person on the right is playing a bagpipe, the middle person has their hands resting on their lap, and the person on the left is holding a jug. The figures have distinct facial features with pronounced noses and expressive mouths. They all wear hats that cover their hair. The clothing is loose and textured, typical of peasant attire, with long sleeves and tunics. A dog is lying in the foreground. In the background, there is a small window with a figure looking out, trees, and a building resembling a church. Details on the table include a knife and a napkin or cloth.

The Bagpipe Must Be Filled

1590

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Château de la Roche-Guyon, France (part of an album)1; (Paul Prouté S.A., Paris); purchased by NGA, 2003.
1 The album was bound in vellum, with "Abraham" on the cover and "Ligeoys" on the back cover. The Château de la Roche-Guyon stamp was on some of the pages, which included a variety of northern mannerist prints by Goltzius, Matham, Saenredam, and others. It was apparently dismantled by Prouté for sale of some of the prints to the NGA.

Associated Names

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. (Karel van Mander, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 96, state i/iii.

Inscriptions

lower left, in image, in plate: 2; below image, in plate: Non Amor, aut virtus, sed dos [a]equata bilance / Coniugium stabilit, cedant duo fulmina belli, / In castrisq[ue] Syphax victus, Carthagoq[ue] migret; / Nil facit ad loculos, non implet scrinia Fama. Si proauos numeres, sis vel Iove natus ab ipso, / Ito foras, nisi te locupletet onustior arca, Auripotensq[ue] suo f[a]ecundet munere Plutus. / Nummi gratus odor: Pietasq[ue], Fidesq[ue] valete. (Neither love nor courage, but a balanced dowry ensures a stable marriage; away with the two bolts of war, let Syphax move from Carthage after a life in the camp. A good name adds nothing to the coffer, nor stock the shelves. If you come from an important family, even were you a son of Jupiter himself, got out into the world, and if you are not so rich and do not have a full coffer, let wealthy Plutus enrich you with his gifts. The scent of money beckons you: do away with Loyalty and Faith.); below plate, in letterpress: De Lifd' eylaes heeft nu den sack ghecreghen, / D'ouders weghen, haer dochter in balance, / Heeft den Vrijer soo veel goeets niet daerteghen, / Het houwelijck is af, hy moet van den dance. (True love, God wat, is quite & clean forlorn when Parents Daughters in the ballance weigh, Let one bee ner'e soe good and nobly born, If hee want cash then all will say him nay.)
[translations by Jan Bloemendal in The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Karel van Mander, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1999, no. 96, p. lxxv.]

Watermarks

Briquet 9324

Wikidata ID

Q76360443

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