1596
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Apollo Presiding Over the Arts of Government is a 1596 ink by Jan Pietersz Saenredam, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a large, bare-chested figure holding a bow and standing on a raised platform. Below, a group of men in robes and crowns kneel or stand around a small table with papers. One man has a long beard and fur cloak, while others wear fancy hats. A lion and a dog sit near the platform, and a small child stands to the right. The background has buildings and a sky with a sun and moon. The big figure looks like a god or ruler watching over the others. The Latin text at the bottom hints at power and glory. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
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…
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
