Artwork
Traveler among Thieves
Traveler among Thieves is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1554 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Traveler among Thieves is an etching created by Heinrich Aldegrever in 1554. It is a small-scale print characteristic of Aldegrever's work and that of his contemporaries, known as the 'Little Masters.'
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a biblical scene in which a lone traveler is beset by robbers on a rocky path. The Latin inscription at the bottom, 'Homo descendens Jerusalem incidit in latrones,' references the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke.
Technique & Style
The print showcases Aldegrever's skill with etching, a technique that allows for detailed linework. The chaotic scene is rendered with precision, capturing the tension and disorder of the moment.
Context
Aldegrever was part of a generation of German artists following Albrecht Dürer, known for their expertise in printmaking. His work reflects the detailed craftsmanship typical of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf (1502–1555, 1558 or 1561) was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
The Good Samaritan Ministering to the Traveler
Mahomet and the Monk Sergius
Christ Tells His Disciples of the Last Judgment
Mahomet and the Monk Sergius
Christ Taken Captive
The Desperate Man
Christ Nailed to the Cross
Moses Striking the Rock
The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ
The Testing of the King's Sons