Who painted Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed?

Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed was painted by Hans the Younger Collaert in 1580.

Where can I see Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed?

Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed?

Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed?

Museum-quality prints of Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed

Hans the Younger Collaert , 1580

Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans the Younger Collaert. It dates from 1580 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in image, at lower left: Phls Galle inue et excudit / Ioan. Coll. Scalp.; below image: Mulciber è gracili fabricatas aere catenas / Cassesqué in lecto, stragula ficta, locat. / Quorum materies dum lumina fallit amantum, / Implicitum laqueis prodit utrumque suis.; below image, at center: 3.

About this work

Overview

Hans the Younger Collaert’s 1580 engraving titled Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed presents a compact, circular composition on laid paper. Two robust male figures dominate the scene: one suspends an iron net over a bed while the other steadies its lower edge. A small cherubic figure rests on the floor, gazing upward, and the interior setting is hinted at by columns and a distant window.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the mythological blacksmith god Vulcan engaged in a domestic task, suggesting themes of craftsmanship and protection. The iron net, poised above the bed, may symbolize a safeguard against unseen forces, while the cherub’s curious glance introduces a playful, perhaps moralizing contrast between divine labor and innocent observation.

Technique & Style

Collaert employs fine cross‑hatching to model flesh, fabric, and metal, achieving a nuanced sense of volume and texture. The muscular anatomy of the men is rendered with realistic attention, and the chiaroscuro created by the dense lines enhances depth within the confined circular frame. The engraving reflects the late‑Renaissance interest in anatomical accuracy combined with decorative detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1580, the print belongs to the oeuvre of Hans the Younger Collaert, a Flemish engraver active in the late 16th century. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work survives in several European print collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of Renaissance graphic art during the period.