Read the visual description
This is a detailed drawing of a complex narrative scene featuring a variety of animals, figures, and mythical creatures within a forest landscape. Trees frame the scene and a procession of horses is depicted in the center, led by elaborately dressed figures. Other figures and animals are scattered throughout the composition, with a person playing a musical instrument on the left side. The drawing combines elements of reality and fantasy, creating a richly patterned and dynamic atmosphere suggesting a significant story with symbolic undertones.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Allegory of Flourishing State of the United Provinces
Jan Pietersz Saenredam
- Date
- 1602
- Medium
- engraving on laid paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 42.8 × 55.5 cm (16 7/8 × 21 7/8 in.) (trimmed to plate mark)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 2012.92.599
- Credit line
- Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen
- Time span
- 1601 to 1650
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- allegory
- engraving
Provenance
Dr. Julius Hofmann [1840-1913], Vienna (Lugt 1264). (Hill-Stone Fine Prints & Drawings, New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased November 6, 2007; Gift to NGA, 2012.
Inscription
in image, at lower center: EMBLEMA. / HODIERNI. / RERUM. STATUS. / IN. / BELIGICÂ. / FOEDERATÂ.; in image, at lower right: I Saenredam inue. et sculpt.; below image: Virgo augusta, vivida, et speciosa; consistens editiore Loco, sub arbo: / rum umbra, quibus foederatarum Regionum appensa insignia; BELGI: / CAM foederatam denotat, florentem ad sue, Dej beneficio, atque inconcussum. / Circumsidens vero, Septem artium Liberalium, Corona, qui: / bus octavus, inter arbusta, accedit Mercurius; vigentia / Litterarum, et Mereaturae Studia designat. / Subiecta autem, sinistro sum a te, planities, Agriculturam interturba: / tam, operas feru entes, Mercaturam prosperam, Navigationes Longin: / quas, Urbium incrementa, et quae alia sunt Euius generis, Luculenter exhibet. / Bellum vero ipsum, Venatuj comparatur; E qui redux nostrij aeuj Nemrod, / Naj Juvius (?), cum socia Pallade, praedam ingentem, foederatae Belgicae, / per manus Victoria, offerendam curat. Haec Tabulae summa est.; below image, at right: AMSTELODAMI. / Excudebat. Hermannus Alardj. / ANNO. A. CHRISTO NATO / DD. D. C. II.
NGA object ID 154022. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.