Who painted Frontispiece?

Frontispiece was painted by Thomas Cecil in 1627.

Where can I see Frontispiece?

Frontispiece is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Frontispiece?

Frontispiece is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Frontispiece

Thomas Cecil , 1627

Frontispiece is an ink print by the Baroque artist Thomas Cecil. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The top row has three people—two men with beards and fancy hats labeled "Crudelite" and "Humaniter," plus a woman in a crown labeled "Hostilite.

This print shows five framed figures standing against a decorated border. The top row has three people—two men with beards and fancy hats labeled "Crudelite" and "Humaniter," plus a woman in a crown labeled "Hostilite." Below them, a woman in armor holds a spear and a scroll, while another woman sits naked, holding a book. Smaller scenes show battles and a ship at the bottom corners.

The text says this is a "General Historie of the Nether Lands," printed in 1627. The figures likely stand for ideas or rulers, not real people.

Want to know more? Look up engraving to see how artists carved these lines.

Overview

Frontispiece is an engraving created by Thomas Cecil in 1627, serving as the introductory illustration to a historical publication.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts five allegorical figures within a decorative border, representing abstract concepts such as cruelty, humanity, and hostility, alongside scenes of conflict and a maritime vessel, symbolizing the turmoil of the subject matter.

Technique & Style

The image is rendered in engraving, a technique involving the carving of lines onto a metal plate to produce the printed design, characteristic of the medium's detailed and linear style.

Context

The engraving introduces a 'General Historie of the Nether Lands,' a historical account of the Netherlands, suggesting the work's focus on the region's conflicts and significant events.