Terra (Earth)
1587
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Adriaen Collaert
Adriaen Collaert (1560–1618) was a Flemish artist, born in Antwerp.
See the richer artist page1587
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Terra (Earth) is a 1587 ink by Adriaen Collaert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a bare-chested woman sitting on a pile of fruits, grains, and flowers. She holds a branch with leaves and grapes in one hand, while the other rests on her knee. Around her, cherubs and animals—like a cow and a sheep—fill the scene, framed by a circular border packed with plants and small figures. The Latin text below calls her *Terra*, meaning "Earth." This isn’t just a portrait—it’s a symbol of nature’s abundance. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Collaert carved these precise lines.
Adriaen Collaert (1560–1618) was a Flemish artist, born in Antwerp.
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