Artwork
Hirah the Adullamite with the Kid
Hirah the Adullamite with the Kid is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Herman Jansz Muller. It dates from 1566 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Herman Jansz Muller’s engraving, dated around 1566, presents a solitary figure holding a young goat. The scene is set beside a tree with an urban backdrop featuring tall structures and a prominent tower. Rendered entirely in black and gray, the image conveys a tranquil atmosphere despite its unusual subject.
Subject & Meaning
The central character, dressed in a long robe and hat, grips the kid by its legs while supporting a staff in his other hand. The juxtaposition of the pastoral animal with the distant cityscape may suggest a dialogue between rural simplicity and urban complexity, a theme explored in several mid‑sixteenth‑century works.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous line work, the engraving employs a range of hatching and cross‑hatching to model forms and suggest depth. The nuanced gradations of gray create a realistic texture on the fabric, foliage, and architectural elements, reflecting the detailed, naturalistic approach characteristic of Northern Renaissance prints.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1566, the print is attributed to the Dutch engraver Herman Jansz Muller, a lesser‑known figure of the period. Surviving copies have appeared in several European collections, though the work’s early ownership records remain sparse.
Context
The image aligns with the broader Renaissance interest in combining genre scenes with symbolic content. Engravings of this era often served both decorative and didactic purposes, circulating ideas about the relationship between humanity, nature, and the built environment.
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