Allegory of War

1578

Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

Theodor Galle

Publisher, Flemish, c. 1571 - 1633

This is a drawing of an allegorical battle scene. The image portrays a battlefield filled with soldiers, musicians, and other characters engaged in various activities. A figure symbolizing victory flies through the sky on clouds in the upper center. In the background, military camps and formations of troops stretch across a hilly landscape. Banners, drums, and chariots add to the dynamic composition, while detailed line work emphasizes action and movement. Latin names label the figures in the scene.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 19.9 × 36.4 cm (7 13/16 × 14 5/16 in.) (trimmed)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.550

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein 1996, no. 204, State ii/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Samuel Leith [1800-1857], Edinburgh (Lugt 1767). (Paul McCarron, New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased August 24, 1989; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

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: no. 112, iii/iv

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Hendrick Goltzius, Marjolein Leesberg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 204, ii/iv

Inscriptions

lettered in image, at lower center: Henric. Goltzius fecit. / Theodor. Galle excud; lettered in image, at top left: Impia quos ductet Mauros in bella maniplos, / Cùm bellona furens Martis agit atra iugales, / Picta tabella docet. Falcatum corpore currum / Mars premit, immani quatiens, hastilia dextra. / Exin Gorgoneis Alecto infecta venenis. / Vrget equos, torquens liquentia terga flagello. / Impetuosa nimis praecedunt agmina, et ipsa / Ipsa ATE pedibusque valens, et robore praestans / Atque gradu celeri, longè praeuertitur, omnes / Mortales laedens Pressura. / Turbine saeuo / subsequitur Pacis contemptus, fraude latentes / Insidiae, et nimium scelerata libido nocendi. / Pone sequebantur tetri de faucibus Orci / Orta laboriferae contagia feruida Pestis. / Proxima laethifero vitantia cuncta veneno.; on verso, in graphite: ak / d. (?) / Leith / June 17 / 1842; 13430.

Wikidata ID

Q76557159

You may be interested in

Loading Results