Artwork

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza, by Nicolaus Andrea, ink, 1590
Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza, by Nicolaus Andrea, ink, 1590

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Nicolaus Andrea. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:around oval in image: NOBILITAS LAUDABILE EST QUAE VIRTUTIBUS ORNATA DOCTORI STANISLAO SABINO HAEREDI IN STRACZA ADVOCATO VILNESE; center left in plate: NICOLAUS / ANDREAE PICTOR / ET POETA... / NULLA DIES / SINE LINEA; lower center in plate: F / NA (in monogram) …

About this work

Overview

Nicolaus Andrea’s 1590 engraving, titled Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza, presents a solitary, bearded figure dressed in a richly patterned dark robe. The central portrait is framed by an intricate border populated with numerous diminutive figures engaged in various activities, creating a densely populated visual field that occupies the entire sheet of laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The principal subject is a solemn, bearded man whose grave expression and deep-set eyes convey authority or contemplation. Encircling him, the miniature scenes, workers with tools, musicians, and everyday tasks, suggest a narrative of societal roles or perhaps an allegorical representation of the individual’s connection to the broader community.

Technique & Style

Executed through fine-line engraving, Andrea incised delicate hatching and cross-hatching to model volume and generate subtle shadows, giving the figures a three‑dimensional presence. The precision of the incisions allows for intricate detail in the border, where each tiny figure is rendered with clarity despite the limited scale of the medium.

Context

Produced at the close of the sixteenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with elaborate decorative borders and the humanist interest in portraying individuals within a network of social activity. Engravings of this type were commonly used for portraiture, commemorative purposes, or as didactic images in the early modern print market.

Alfonso X, King of Castile
Alfonso X, King of Castile, William Rogers

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza?

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza was painted by Nicolaus Andrea in 1590.

Where can I see Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza?

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza?

Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza?

Museum-quality prints of Stanislaus Sabinus von Stracza are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.