Artwork
The Four Elements
The Four Elements is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jacob Matham. It dates from 1588 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in pencil: 278; lower left in plate: 1.; lower right in plate: HGoltzius jnue. / G.Valk excud. Ao1588
About this work
Overview
The Four Elements is an engraving on laid paper created by Jacob Matham in 1588.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts four nude figures entangled in a rocky landscape, each holding a distinct object: a sphere, a plant, and a snake. Their strained poses suggest a struggle or effort, possibly symbolizing the elements they represent.
Technique & Style
The engraving features sharp, dark lines that convey a sense of solidity and ruggedness. The artist achieved nuanced shading and texture through the use of fine cross-hatching, characteristic of the engraving technique, where a metal plate is pressed into paper to produce the image.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
