Artwork
Allegory of Flourishing State of the United Provinces
Allegory of Flourishing State of the United Provinces is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jan Pietersz Saenredam. It dates from 1602 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jan Pietersz.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in image, at lower center: EMBLEMA. / HODIERNI. / RERUM. STATUS. / IN. / BELIGICÂ. / FOEDERATÂ.; in image, at lower right: I Saenredam inue. et sculpt.; below image: Virgo augusta, vivida, et speciosa; consistens editiore Loco, sub arbo: / rum umbra, quibus foederatarum Regionum appensa insignia; BELGI: / CAM foederatam denotat, florentem ad sue, Dej beneficio, atque inconcussum. / Circumsidens vero, Septem artium Liberalium, Corona, qui: / bus octavus, inter arbusta, accedit Mercurius; vigentia / Litterarum, et Mereaturae Studia designat. / Subiecta autem, sinistro sum a te, planities, Agriculturam interturba: / tam, operas feru entes, Mercaturam prosperam, Navigationes Longin: / quas, Urbium incrementa, et quae alia sunt Euius generis, Luculenter exhibet. / Bellum vero ipsum, Venatuj comparatur; E qui redux nostrij aeuj Nemrod, / Naj Juvius (?), cum socia Pallade, praedam ingentem, foederatae Belgicae, / per manus Victoria, offerendam curat. Haec Tabulae summa est.; below image, at right: AMSTELODAMI. / Excudebat. Hermannus Alardj. / ANNO. A. CHRISTO NATO / DD. D. C. II.
About this work
Overview
Jan Pietersz. Saenredam's 1602 engraving, Allegory of Flourishing State of the United Provinces, is a print on laid paper exemplifying the Northern Mannerist style.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a complex scene with numerous figures and animals, symbolizing the prosperity of the Dutch Republic in the early 17th century. Central to the composition is a horseman surrounded by others on foot and horseback, set against a backdrop of trees and water.
Technique & Style
Saenredam employed cross-hatching to achieve texture and depth, meticulously rendering details such as clothing folds, tree bark, and horse movement, showcasing his technical skill.
History & Provenance
Jan Pietersz. Saenredam was a multifaceted artist, also working as a painter and cartographer, and his son Pieter Jansz. Saenredam later gained recognition for detailed church interior paintings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Pieterszoon (abbr. Pietersz.) Saenredam (c. 1565 – 6 April 1607) was a Dutch Northern Mannerist painter, printmaker in engraving, and cartographer, and father of the painter of church interiors, Pieter Jansz…
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