Who painted Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs?

Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs was painted by Cornelis Galle II in 1646.

Where can I see Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs?

Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs?

Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs

Cornelis Galle II , 1646

Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs is an ink print by the Baroque artist Cornelis Galle II. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Galle II’s 1646 engraving, titled Title Page for Balthasar Cordier, Iob Elvcidatvs, serves as a frontispiece for the printed work. Executed on laid paper as a proof before the addition of textual elements, the image is rendered entirely in black and white, employing the precise line work characteristic of early‑modern printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a kneeling figure whose arms are lifted in a gesture of anguish or supplication, surrounded by four standing figures who alternately gaze upward and downward. A dark, billowing cloud hovers above, while a modest architectural structure recedes in the distance, suggesting a narrative of suffering and divine observation.

Technique & Style

Galle’s engraving demonstrates meticulous incising, with fine cross‑hatching that models musculature and facial expression. The chiaroscuro effect emerges from dense line clusters that create deep shadows, contrasted with lighter, more open areas, giving the scene a dramatic intensity without the use of color.

Context

Printed in the mid‑17th century, the frontispiece reflects the collaborative practices of Flemish engravers and publishers, where a master like Galle would prepare a detailed image for inclusion in a larger volume. The proof stage, evident in the absence of typographic lettering, indicates the work’s role in the production process prior to final binding.