Artwork
Hearing
Hearing is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jan Pietersz Saenredam. It dates from 1595 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: in plate, below image, at left: 2; in plate, below image: two lines of Latin verse; verso: at lower left in graphite in later hand: B 96
- Markings
- Marked:recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art
About this work
Overview
Hearing is an engraving on laid paper created by Dutch Northern Mannerist artist Jan Pietersz. Saenredam around 1595. The work belongs to a series of allegorical prints inspired by classical and biblical themes, characteristic of the artist's style.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts two figures, a woman and a man, facing each other, set against a backdrop of swirling lines and framed by a curtain.
The engraving depicts two figures, a woman and a man, facing each other, set against a backdrop of swirling lines and framed by a curtain. The woman, adorned with a high-necked dress and pearls, holds an unspecified object near her chest, while the man, distinguished by curly hair, a ruff collar, and a winged hat, engages her. The title Hearing suggests an allegory related to the sense of hearing, potentially exploring themes of listening or the impact of sound.
A Latin inscription at the base of the print warns of the dangers of enticing yet perilous songs.
Technique & Style
Executed in engraving, a technique renowned for its capacity to achieve intricate details, Hearing exemplifies Saenredam's meticulous style, inherited from his cartographer father. The work's level of detail and symbolic figuration align with the artistic traditions of the Northern Mannerist period.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1595 by Jan Pietersz. Saenredam, Hearing is part of the artist's oeuvre preceding his influence on his son, Pieter Jansz. Saenredam, a painter known for depicting church interiors. The print's provenance details are not specified in available information.
Context
Hearing reflects the Northern Mannerist penchant for allegorical subjects drawn from mythology and biblical sources. The emphasis on detail and symbolic representation places the work within the broader artistic currents of late 16th-century Northern Europe.
Legacy
While Hearing showcases Saenredam's skill in engraving and his contribution to Northern Mannerist allegorical prints, its specific impact on the broader art historical landscape or direct influences on subsequent artists are not prominently highlighted in the provided context.
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…
