Artwork
The Age of Bronze
The Age of Bronze is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1589 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a monochrome print executed on laid paper, employing engraving techniques to render a complex scene.
About this work
Overview
The work is a monochrome print executed on laid paper, employing engraving techniques to render a complex scene. Central to the composition is a tall, draped female figure clutching a staff, positioned within a landscape that merges built structures and natural elements.
Subject & Meaning
The figure stands amid a setting where construction sites and wilderness coexist, surrounded by scattered weapons and a body of water. The juxtaposition of the serene female presence with symbols of conflict and labor suggests a contemplation of humanity’s relationship to both creation and destruction.
Technique & Style
The image relies on intricate line work and extensive cross‑hatching, a hallmark of the engraving process. These methods generate a rich sense of depth and texture, allowing the viewer to discern the varied surfaces of water, stone, and fabric within the monochrome palette.
History & Provenance
Created as an engraving on laid paper, the piece belongs to the printmaking tradition that emphasizes reproducibility and fine detail. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop, where the technique of cross‑hatching was employed to achieve the nuanced tonal variations evident in the work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
