37. Hendrik Goltzius
(1558-1617)
A Young Man, Aged Twenty-Four

(click on image to print)
Goltzius: A Young Man

A Young Man, Aged Twenty-Four

Engraving from a silver engraved medallion, 1583, 52 x 41 mm., Bartsch 198, Hirschmann 239 only state, Strauss 179 only state. Provenance: Leonard Baskin (pomegranate mark, not in Lugt). A very fine, delicate and silvery impression on laid paper with rectangular margins outside the oval platemark. The printed text is in reverse indicating that the silver plate from which it was printed was the actual work of art (a medallion) and impressions taken from it were incidental (often proofs pulled to inspect the quality of the engraved lines). According to a pencil notation on the impression in Brussels, the sitter's name is Erasmus Vollevens. Goltzius, in addition to his many other accomplishments, was an acknowledged master of miniature portraiture.