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Title Page to Arcana Clericalia or the Misteries of Clerkshipp by George Billinghurst

Unknown 19th Century

1674

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Title Page to Arcana Clericalia or the Misteries of Clerkshipp by George Billinghurst is a 1674 ink by Unknown 19th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown 19th Century
When & what style?: 1674 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a busy crowd of people in old-fashioned clothes. Some are standing, some are sitting, and a few are holding books or papers. At the top, a fancy border frames the scene, and the text says it’s about "The Misteries of Clerkshipp." The faces are simple but full of detail, with lots of lines and shading. The title hints this was a guide for clerks handling legal documents. The tiny figures around the edges add to the packed, busy feel of the whole image. Next, look up engraving to see how artists used sharp tools to create these intricate lines.