Artwork
Josephus Justus Scaliger

Josephus Justus Scaliger is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1592 engraving by Hendrick Goltzius portrays Josephus Justus Scaliger, a prominent late Renaissance scholar. The black-and-white portrait is framed within a large oval, surrounded by symbolic elements.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Josephus Justus Scaliger, is depicted with a beard and ruff collar, indicating his scholarly stature. Encircling figures, some winged and holding objects like globes and musical instruments, emphasize his importance across various disciplines.
Technique & Style
Characteristic of Goltzius's refined Northern Mannerist engraving technique, the work features intricate details, such as a coat of arms, shield, and Latin text in a banner, showcasing the artist's mastery of the medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1592 by Goltzius, a leading Dutch engraver who later also worked as a painter, the engraving's provenance details are not specified here, highlighting only its creation by a notable figure of the early Baroque period.
Context
The engraving reflects the Renaissance humanist tradition of honoring scholars through elaborate portraits, combining realism with symbolic adornments to highlight the subject's scholarly and intellectual achievements.
Legacy
As a work by Goltzius, it contributes to the legacy of Northern Mannerism in printmaking, though the specific impact or whereabouts of this particular engraving over time are not detailed in the provided information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.



















