1586
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Frustra pater nauem dabit is a 1586 ink by Hieronymus Wierix, a Renaissance work, depicting Engraving Proces, held at National Gallery of Art.
This tiny engraving shows a bearded man in a robe holding a boat over his head like it’s a toy. The Latin words above say, “In vain the father will give the ship,” which sounds like a warning. The man’s superhuman strength makes this feel mythical, not real. His calm face contrasts with the chaos of the storm-tossed sea behind him. Look up Wierix, Hieronymus next.
Hieronymus Wierix (1553–1619) was a Flemish engraver, draughtsman and publisher. He is known for his reproductive engravings after the work of well-known local and foreign artists including Albrecht Dürer. Together with…
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