The Holy Family, c. 1605-1610
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Robert and Barbara Wheaton in honor of Tom Rassieurexpand_more 2009.25
Not on Viewexpand_more
Three leading Northern Mannerist artists were involved in the production of this elegant, charming, and slightly bizarre engraving: painter Hans von Aachen, engraver Lucas Kilian, and publisher Dominicus Custos. Von Aachen served as court painter to Emperor Rudolph II who so desired his services that the artist was not required to live in Prague. Though the painter eventually chose to reside there, he traveled so frequently that we may never know where he painted the image of the Holy Family that served as the basis for this engraving.
Extremes of darkness and light as well as tightly packed yet energetic compositions are often seen in von Aachen's art; yet, Kilian transformed the image into an entirely new work of art by re-imagining it as a feat of bravura engraving. Such a metamorphosis catered to the Imperial Court's obsessive interest in alchemy, a mindset that extended well beyond attempts to change base metals into gold.
Details
- Title
- The Holy Family
- Artist Life
- 1579–1637
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2009.25
- Provenance
- J. Wetterauer (probably Germany, dates unknown); Susan Schulman (New Yrok); from whom purchased by Robert and Barbara Wheaton (Concord, MA), September 13, 2002
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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