Currently not on view
Hercules Farnese, Back View,
1592, printed 1617
Hendrick Goltzius, 1558–1617; born Mülbracht, Netherlands; died Haarlem, Netherlands
Published by Herman Adolfsz., Dutch, active 16th century
Published by Herman Adolfsz., Dutch, active 16th century
x1934-673
Reproductive engravings made after well-known works of art were central to the business of print publishing when Goltzius became venerated throughout Europe as an engraver of extraordinary talent, who could copy and often surpass the work of his progenitors and contemporaries. In 1591 the artist executed more than forty chalk drawings after celebrated antique statues in the Vatican and other collections in Rome, with the intention of publishing them as an engraved series; only three were ultimately published, including this towering figure of Hercules seen from behind, being admired by young men. Carved in Rome in the third century and rediscovered in 1546, the marble was purchased by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and by 1590 had become one of the most famous sculptures from antiquity.
Information
Title
Hercules Farnese, Back View
Dates
1592, printed 1617
Maker
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
plate: 40.3 x 29.4 cm. (15 7/8 x 11 9/16 in.)
sheet: 42.4 x 30.8 cm. (16 11/16 x 12 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Junius S. Morgan, Class of 1888
Object Number
x1934-673
Place Made
Europe, Netherlands
Inscription
Signed in plate, lower left corner: HGoltzius sculp. Cum privilig. / Sa. Cae. M
Address in plate, lower left corner: Herman Adolfz excud. Haerleman
Captioned on pedestal, lower center: HERCVLES VICTOR
Numbered 1 in margin at left
Two Latin distichs by Theodorus Schrevelius in margin, left and right: Domito triformi rege Lusitania, / Raptisue malis quae Hespeir Sub cardine / Servarat bortis aureis vigil draco, / Fesus quievi terror orbis Hercules.
Inscribed in plate two lines of Latin, in margin center: Statua antiqua Romae in palatio Cardinalis Fernesij / opus posthumum HGoltzy iam primum divulgat. Ano. M.D.C.X.VII.
Signed in plate in margin, right corner: Schrevel.
Marks/Labels/Seals
Collector's stamp in purple ink, verso lower left: Rudolph Peltzer (Lugt 2231)
Reference Numbers
Bartsch 44.143; Hollstein 145; New Hollstein 378; Strauss 312
Type
Materials
Techniques
Subject
Rudolf Peltzer [1825-1910, Lugt 2231]; sale of the collections of Rudolf Peltzer, Grégoire Stroganoff, and Friedrich Schindler, Stuttgart, May 2, 1913, lot 564; Junius S. Morgan [1867-1932]; bequeathed to Princeton University Art Museum, 1932.
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F.W.H. Hollstein, "Goltzius-Heemskerck," Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings, and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700, (Amsterdam: M. Hertzberger, 1953).
, no. 17 - Otto Hirschmann and E. W. Moes, Hendrik Goltzius, Verzeichnis des graphischen Werks (Braunschweig: Klinkhardt & Biermann, 1976)., no. 17
- Glenn Harcourt, ed., Hendrik Goltzius and the Classical Tradition (Los Angeles: Fisher Gallery University of Southern California, 1992)., x1934–673, x1934–675: pp. 8–9, 32–33 (illus.)
- Marjolein Leesberg, "Hendrick Goltzius," New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, 1450-1700 (Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel: Sound & Vision Publishers, in co-operation with the Rijksprentenkabinet, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 2012)., no. 15, p. 40 (illus.)
- Walter L. Strauss, ed., Hendrik Goltzius, 1558-1617: the complete engravings and woodcuts (New York: Abaris Books, 1977-)., no. 206
