Who painted Frederik de Vries?

Frederik de Vries was painted by Hendrick Goltzius in 1597.

Where can I see Frederik de Vries?

Frederik de Vries is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Frederik de Vries?

Frederik de Vries is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Frederik de Vries?

Museum-quality prints of Frederik de Vries are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Frederik de Vries

Hendrick Goltzius , 1597

Frederik de Vries is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left, in image, in plate: Cum Privil. Sa. Cae. M. / Anno 1597. / HG; bottom center, in the cartouche below the dog, in plate: Theodorico Frisio Pictori egregio / apud Venetos amicitiae et filii absentis / repraesentandi gratia dono do. (I dedicate this work to the outstanding painter Dirck de Vries in Venice and present to him his absent son.); in margin below image, in plate: Quid tabula haec capiat, fors non capis: en tibi paucis / Mentem. Simplicitas quaerit amatque fidem. / Fida canis, simplexque puer, quos Goltzius apto / Vivere Phidiaca fecit in aere manu. / P. Scriverius (Perchance you do not understand what this print means. Here is the meaning in a few words. Simplicity seeks and loves fidelity. The faithful dog and the simple boy, whom Goltzius has brought to life in copper with a skillful hand, like that of Phidias. Petrus Scriverius) [translations from Leeflang, Huigen, and Ger Luijten. _Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617): Drawings, Prints and Paintings._ Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 2003, p. 163.]

About this work

Overview

Frederik de Vries is a 1597 engraving on laid paper by Hendrick Goltzius, a prominent German-born Dutch printmaker and draftsman of the early Baroque/Northern Mannerism period.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a wealthy or important figure, indicated by his 16th-century attire, accompanied by a bird in hand, a dog on his shoulder, and a spaniel at his feet. The composition conveys status and refinement.

Technique & Style

Characteristic of Goltzius's refined technique, the engraving features intricate, controlled details amidst a busy composition, including swirling leaf and branch patterns in the background. Latin text surrounds the image, typical of serious art of the time.

History & Provenance

Created in 1597, Frederik de Vries exemplifies Goltzius's role as a leading engraver who both drew with painterly authority and designed images for reproduction, marking a transitional point in engraving practices.

Context

The use of Latin and the subject's portrayal reflect the artistic and social conventions of the late 16th century, appealing to an educated, affluent audience.

Legacy

As one of Goltzius's works, Frederik de Vries contributes to his legacy as the last engraver of his era to seamlessly blend painterly skill with the technical demands of engraving, influencing subsequent printmaking practices.

Portrait of Frederick de Vries and His Dog, Hendrick Goltzius

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Artist & collection

Artist

Hendrick Goltzius

Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.