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Numerous figures are depicted in a lavish indoor setting. A woman in an intricate gown appears to be dancing, surrounded by other individuals engaged in various activities. The facial features and hairstyles are finely detailed, with ornate hairstyles typical of the period. The clothing is elaborate, featuring dresses, tunics, and capes. Many figures are holding objects, such as musical instruments, goblets, and candles. The background features architectural elements, including statues, pillars, niches, and a large, sculpted figure in an alcove.
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Numerous figures are depicted in a lavish indoor setting. A woman in an intricate gown appears to be dancing, surrounded by other individuals engaged in various activities. The facial features and hairstyles are finely detailed, with ornate hairstyles typical of the period. The clothing is elaborate, featuring dresses, tunics, and capes. Many figures are holding objects, such as musical instruments, goblets, and candles. The background features architectural elements, including statues, pillars, niches, and a large, sculpted figure in an alcove.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Pleasure House

Jan Sadeler I, after Joos van Winghe

Date
1588
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet (trimmed within plate at bottom): 38.6 × 48.2 cm (15 3/16 × 19 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2013.11.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • engraving
  • entertainment
  • genre
Provenance

(sale, Galerie Bassenge, Berlin, 29 November 2012, no. 5182); (via C. G. Boerner); purchased 2012 by NGA.

Inscription

in plate, in image at lower center: Jodoc a win: / figuravit , 1588; Joan sadeler serenissimis / Bavaraie Ducis chalcograph fe.; in plate, in image at upper left center: Sapie: 2 / VENITE ET FRUAMUR BO- / NIS QUAE SVT, ET UTAMUR / CREATURA TANQUAM IN/ IUVENTATE CELERITER (Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth); in plate, in image at upper right center: Sapi: 2 / NEMO VESTRU EXORS SIT LUX / URIAE NOSTRAE: UBIQUE RELIN / QUAM SIGNA LETITIAE QUO- / NIA HAEC EST SORS NOSTRA (Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this); in plate, below image: VINUM ET MULIERES APOSTATARE FACIUNT SAPIENTES. ET QUI SE IUNGIT FORNICATORIIS ERIT NEQUAM. Sirach 19 (Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent) [Latin translations from Eddy de Jongh & Ger Luijten, "Mirror of Everyday Life: Genreprints in the Netherlands 1550-1700." Exhibition catalogue. Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 1997, p.68.]

Watermarks

fleur de lis in circle

NGA object ID 161046. 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.