The Farnese Hercules
Engraving
ca. 1592 (engraved)
ca. 1592 (engraved)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Dutch artist Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617) was an important draughtsman and the pre-eminent Northern engraver of his day. The sharply defined quality of line engraving is produced with a tool called a burin, which consists of a steel rod with a sharpened point and bevelled edge. As the burin is pushed at an acute angle over the copper printing plate, it slices and lifts a sliver of metal. Goltzius had a masterful command of the burin. He used it with varying pressure to create lines that swell and taper, and which communicate form and energy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Farnese Hercules (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Engraving on paper |
| Brief description | Engraving. Hendrik Goltzius. The Farnese Hercules, ca 1592. |
| Physical description | Engraving, two men looking at a statue of Hercules, which is seen from behind. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | In his engraving of a celebrated Roman sculpture Goltzius has included two observers. Their position helps to convey the scale and physicality of the sculpture, and their attentive viewing highlights its importance. They are often identified as Goltzius himself and his stepson Jacob Matham. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Dutch artist Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617) was an important draughtsman and the pre-eminent Northern engraver of his day. The sharply defined quality of line engraving is produced with a tool called a burin, which consists of a steel rod with a sharpened point and bevelled edge. As the burin is pushed at an acute angle over the copper printing plate, it slices and lifts a sliver of metal. Goltzius had a masterful command of the burin. He used it with varying pressure to create lines that swell and taper, and which communicate form and energy. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 29408A/1 |
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| Record created | January 21, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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