elaborately-dressed couple seated at a table outdoors; woman at left holds a books in her PR hand and rests her PL arm on the shoulder of man at right, who is playing a lute; vase of flowers, footed bowl with fruit and book on table; landscape in background with windmill-like structure, hunters with bows aiming at bird, fisherman and couples beneath a tree; text at bottom below image

Sanguine, 1590s

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Engravingexpand_more

Gift of funds from Barbara S. Longfellowexpand_more  2015.51.1

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These harmonious lovers represent the sanguine temperament, the personality trait governed by full-blooded happiness. The flowers, fruit, and vegetables before them associate this temperament with air: it aspires—literally, it breathes and is thus full of life. Their elegant costumes and luxurious tableware tell us they are rich, but the pleasures enjoyed by the small figures in the background—fishing, dancing, and shooting—are available to all.

This plate belongs to a series of four engravings designed by Maarten de Vos, the most important painter in late 16th-century Antwerp, and executed by the highly skilled Flemish engraver Pieter d Jode I, who happened to be in Venice when he incised the copper plate used to make this print.

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Details
Title
Sanguine
Artist Life
1570–1634
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.51.1
Provenance
Possibly Gaston de Ramaix (Belgium, 1878-1937, see Lugt 4099). Probably Henri Godts, Brussels, March 14, 2014, lot 46; [Nicolaas Teeuwisse, Berlin, cat. XV, p. 18-21, no. 6, illus.]
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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elaborately-dressed couple seated at a table outdoors; woman at left holds a books in her PR hand and rests her PL arm on the shoulder of man at right, who is playing a lute; vase of flowers, footed bowl with fruit and book on table; landscape in background with windmill-like structure, hunters with bows aiming at bird, fisherman and couples beneath a tree; text at bottom below image