1592
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Horologia Ferrea (Iron Clocks) is a 1592 ink by Philip Galle, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a room packed with men working on strange machines. Clocks with gears sit on tables. One man holds a tiny tool, another polishes metal, and others stand around watching. Shelves hold more odd tools and parts. The whole thing looks like a mix of a workshop and a science lab. The title says *Horologia Ferrea*—that means "iron clocks." These aren’t regular clocks. They’re big, mechanical, and look like they’re part art, part machine. The men seem to be building or fixing them, maybe showing how they work. If you like this weird mix of art and science, look up engraving.
Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.
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