Artwork
Wilhelm V, Duke of Julich, Cleve and Berg
Wilhelm V, Duke of Julich, Cleve and Berg is a print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1540 print by Heinrich Aldegrever depicts Wilhelm V, Duke of Julich, Cleve and Berg. It is a representative work by a German artist known for small-scale engravings.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Wilhelm V in ornate attire, with symbols of his status and lineage, including a coat of arms and a shield with a lion. Latin inscriptions at the top and bottom likely provide identifying information about the subject.
Technique & Style
Aldegrever's use of shading and linework creates a three-dimensional effect, capturing the textures of the duke's clothing and the details of his surroundings. The work reflects the portraiture conventions of the time, characteristic of the 'Little Masters' group.
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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.
