Artwork
Bellona Leading the Imperial Armies Against the Turks
Bellona Leading the Imperial Armies Against the Turks is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jan Muller. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:below image, at left: B. Sprangers inuent. / Ioan. Muller sculp.; below image, at right: G. Valck ex.; below image, at center: Serenissimo Principi Domino Dño MATHIAE, Archiduci Austriae, Duci Burgundiae, Stiriae, Carinthiae, Carniolae et Wirtembergae B. (?) Comiti Tirolis R. (?) Nec non / Generali et supremo totius Christiani exercitûs contrà Turcas Duciae Praefecto foelicissimo, Dño suo clementissimo, Bartholomaeus Spranger. S. C. M. Pictor. D. D.; below image, in four stanzas: En Bellona ciet turmas procùl aere canôro, / Spicula Marte vibrat dextro succinctaque flagris / Bella fremit, fremebunda parat, gaudetque paratis. / Nec mora, feruet opus, Iouis ales praelia miscet / Quid dubitet. Bona caussa facit. Caducifer inquit / Macte animis: caussarum sum Deus ipse bonarum. / Exere tu modò vim facto agmine, Romula pubes. / Terrificum Turcis fulmen, victoria vobis / Nube volans praesto est: nihil impedit, exere vires. / Non ergò differ pacis, Germania, sedes: / Praesidio maiore iuua Iouis alitis ausus. / Sic sternes Mahomet: victrix tua causa triumphet.
About this work
Overview
Bellona Leading the Imperial Armies Against the Turks is a 1600 engraving on laid paper by Dutch artist Jan Harmensz. Muller, depicting a chaotic battle scene under the guidance of the Roman goddess of war, Bellona.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving portrays Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, spear in hand and riding a horse-drawn chariot, as she leads imperial forces in combat against Turkish troops, symbolizing divine intervention in military conflict.
Technique & Style
Muller employed sharp lines and expressive shading techniques in this black-and-white print, creating a dramatic visual effect amidst the turmoil of the battle scene, with detailed renderings of armor, weaponry, and swirling smoke.
History & Provenance
Created in 1600 by Jan Harmensz. Muller, who trained in his family's Amsterdam printing and engraving business before traveling to Italy, the work reflects his refined engraving skills upon his return and succession of the family enterprise.
Context
The piece was produced during a time of heightened European-Ottoman conflicts, potentially reflecting contemporary anxieties or political narratives of the era, though its specific commission or inspiration remains undocumented.
Legacy
While the engraving's direct influence is not broadly documented, it exemplifies Muller's contribution to Dutch printmaking of the early 17th century, and its subject matter showcases the enduring artistic appeal of classical deities in early modern European art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571–1628) was a Dutch engraver and painter. Muller was born in Amsterdam. His father was a book printer, engraver and publisher. He learned the engraving trade while working in the family…
