A Pike-Man Turned to the Left

1582

Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

The image shows a man standing confidently. He is positioned with one hand on his hip and the other holding a tall, ornate staff. The man has an angular face with a prominent nose and a short beard; his hair is short and curly. He wears an elaborate outfit typical of the late 16th to early 17th century, featuring a ruffled collar, a decorated doublet, and puffed, patterned sleeves, paired with knee-length breeches and stockings. He has a sword attached at his side. There is a detailed shield with a crest hanging from a tree to his right, and the background shows a landscape with trees and distant figures engaged in a battle scene, with smoke and clouds suggesting the chaos of warfare. The bottom part of the image features Latin text.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the Estate of Leo Steinberg

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 27.4 x 15.3 cm (10 13/16 x 6 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2011.139.15

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein 1996, no. 282


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Leo Steinberg, New York (1920-2011); Estate of Leo Steinberg, New York; gift to NGA, 2011.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1802

  • Bartsch, Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna, 1802-1821: Adam. Le peintre graveur. 21 vols. Vienna: J.V. Degen, 1802-1821: no. 216

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. 249

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-: no. 282.

Inscriptions

in image: Hodie Cras. nihil; lower left in image: H Goltzius / fecit / 1582; lower cetner in image: Mortalis fugitis mortem patrianq. tueri / Horretis pauidi mors sua quinq. menet / Vita nimis nulli placeat quem mors tenit vfq / Qui si HODIE est aliquid, CRAS NIHIL esse potest.; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: B. 216

Wikidata ID

Q76559000

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