1597
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Apotheosis of the Arts is a 1597 ink by Jan Muller, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image is a busy black-and-white scene packed with people and movement. In the center, a muscular woman floats upward, holding a torch. Around her, other figures—some with wings, some holding tools—swirl in the air or stand on clouds. Below, a cityscape with buildings and ships looks tiny by comparison. Notice how the artist used tiny lines to create shadows and depth—this isn’t paint, it’s carved into metal. The scene feels like a story, but it’s not real: it’s a mix of ideas. Want to know more about how this kind of image was made? Try looking up engraving.
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…
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