Aether,

ca. 1588–90

The complex symbolism of this series of seven oval prints can be interpreted as illustrating the fundamental harmony between humans and nature. The three regions of the world—sky, water, and earth, represented by six gods and goddesses—correlate with the spirit, the soul, and the body of man. Derived from the Italian terms for light and dark, chiaroscuro relies on contrasts, created in woodcuts by printing blocks inked in different tones over a black line block. The technique originated in sixteenth-century Germany, was picked up in Italy, and then spread to the Netherlands, as evidenced in Hubert Goltzius’s book displayed on the opposite wall. Goltzius made several editions of this series, varying the ink colors each time. He began with the gray tones, then made a tan and green combination, and finally an ochre and brown edition.