Currently not on view
Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert,
1591
Hendrick Goltzius, 1558–1617; born Mülbracht, Netherlands; died Haarlem, Netherlands
x1934-677
At age sixteen, Goltzius left his apprenticeship with his father and began learning the art of engraving with Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert, a distinguished printmaker and influential theologian. In an age of deep strife between Protestants and Catholics, Coornhert advocated for tolerance and conciliation, a stance that influenced Goltzius to avoid partisan religious affiliations as well. Goltzius pays tribute to his mentor in this largest of his portrait prints, which depicts Coornhert "ad vivum" (from life) with an unembellished dignity and a penetrating gaze. A subsequent version of the engraving, with an ornamental frame printed from a separate copper plate, adds attributes that refer to Coornhert’s mastery of the arts, letters, fencing, and music.
Information
Title
Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert
Dates
1591
Maker
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
plate: 42.3 x 32.1 cm (16 5/8 x 12 5/8 in.)
sheet: 45.7 x 34.7 cm (18 x 13 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Junius S. Morgan, Class of 1888
Object Number
x1934-677
Place Made
Europe, Netherlands
Inscription
Inscribed in plate in margin around oval, upper half: THEODORVS CORNHERTIVS, AD VIVVM DEPICTVS ET ÆRI INCISVS AB H. GOLTZIO.
Inscribed in plate in margin around oval, lower half: NATVS AMSTELREDAMI AO CID ID XXII. / DENATVS GOVDÆ AO CID ID XC.
Marks/Labels/Seals
Collector stamps of William Sharp and QQ 1649 [?]
Reference Numbers
Bartsch 49.164; Hollstein 180; New Hollstein 211; Strauss 287
Type
Materials
Techniques
Subject
William Sharp [19th century, Lugt 2650]; sale of his collection, London, March 1-14, 1878, possibly lot 1413. Junius S. Morgan [1867-1932]; bequeathed to Princeton University Art Museum, 1932.
-
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
- 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).
- Walter L. Strauss, ed., Hendrik Goltzius, 1558-1617: the complete engravings and woodcuts (New York: Abaris Books, 1977-)., no. 206
