Aegidius Sadeler II (1570 - 1629)
Bartholomeus Spranger and his wife
Artist
Title
Bartholomeus Spranger and his wife
Dating
ca 1600
Material/Technique
Engraving on paper
Dimensions
Mått 29,40 x 41,40 cm
Category
Inventory number
G Q 781/1911
Acquisition
Gift of Oscar Quensel, 1911
Display Status
Not on display at the museum
Description
Sadeler is considered one of the Netherlands’ most productive printmakers. One of his forerunners was the artist Bartholomaeus Spranger, here portrayed with his deceased wife Christina Müller.
The image is strewn with allegorical and symbolical elements. It was common practice to include people who were no longer living in portraits, often in the form of a “picture within a picture”, as here. Even those who could not read understood that Christina had passed due to the skull held beneath her by a child.
Around them, it is almost like a raging battle between opposites – life and death, success and downfall, riches and asceticism, science and superstition. Triumphant trumpets spread the word of Bartholomaeus’ achievements, but an elderly man with a scythe and an hourglass warns that even those who are successful will die one day.
Signature/Inscription
Signature (Nere till höger i plåten): Marco Sadeler escudit
Inscriptions (Uppe till vänster i plåten): VIVIT NVMINE ET NOMINE
Inscriptions (Uppe till höger i plåten): MORS INLOVA . . . .
Inscriptions (höger sida, i plåten): CHRISTINA MVLLERINA VXOR B. SPRANGER ((runt porträttet av en kvinna))
Inscriptions (Nere till höger i plåten): ANIMVS MA. . . .
Inscriptions (Nere till vänster i plåten): QVID ANTE DIEM. . . .
Inscriptions (nedtill i plåten): Priuatas lacrymas Bart. Sprangeri . . . .
Etikett/Stämpel (a tergo nere till höger): GKM
Inscriptions (a tergo nere till höger): 781/1911
Exhibition History
Printed. Prints as collector's items, mass media and showpieces, Göteborg, Göteborgs konstmuseum, 14/03/2020 - 16/08/2020
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