Wisdom Conquering Ignorance

c.1597

Aegidius Sadeler II, after Bartholomaeus Spranger

Associated Names
Aegidius Sadeler II

Artist, Flemish, c. 1570 - 1629

Bartholomaeus Spranger

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1546 - 1611

The image shows an engraving with several figures. In the center is a muscular, armored figure holding a sword, standing over a large man lying on his stomach. The armored figure wears a decorated helmet and long hair. A nude, winged cherub hovers above, holding a laurel wreath. Other semi-clad figures surround them, some holding objects. At the base, a seated woman wears a laurel wreath and reads from a book. The scene is set against a textured, dark background emphasizing light and shadow on the figures.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 50.8 x 35.9 cm (20 x 14 1/8 in.) (trimmed to plate mark)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.592

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 115, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Hill-Stone Fine Prints & Drawings, New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased November 6, 2006; 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. 115, only

Inscriptions

in image, at bottom centre: B: Spranger inuent. / Eg: Sadeler sculp; below image, at bottom left: Non datur; eximias veneret ut INSCIVS ARTES, / Solus eas quaerens noscere gestit AMOR; below image, at right: Sed datur; ut spretâ iaceat calcatus ab ARTE / INSCIVS, et solido cassus honore ruat; below image, at centre: INSCIVS NON HONORABITur

Wikidata ID

Q76557276

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