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This drawing features an allegorical figure in a classical landscape. The central male figure is sitting on a cloud, holding a chameleon in one hand and gesturing towards the environment with the other. His hair resembles clouds. Surrounding him are four infant-like figures blowing air. The scene is set within an oval border, and beyond it are various landscapes. Birds are flying across the sky. Below, mythological events are depicted in a forested mountainous landscape with a river. Latin text decorates the bottom. The artwork's intricate detailing and rich classical style evoke a Baroque influence, with an emphasis on dynamic composition and allegorical symbolism.
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This drawing features an allegorical figure in a classical landscape. The central male figure is sitting on a cloud, holding a chameleon in one hand and gesturing towards the environment with the other. His hair resembles clouds. Surrounding him are four infant-like figures blowing air. The scene is set within an oval border, and beyond it are various landscapes. Birds are flying across the sky. Below, mythological events are depicted in a forested mountainous landscape with a river. Latin text decorates the bottom. The artwork's intricate detailing and rich classical style evoke a Baroque influence, with an emphasis on dynamic composition and allegorical symbolism.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Aër (Air)

Adriaen Collaert

Date
after 1587
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 17.2 × 21.2 cm (6 3/4 × 8 3/8 in.) sheet: 17.6 × 21.5 cm (6 15/16 × 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2017.38.4
Credit line
Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Portfolio and series

Series
The Four Elements

Subjects and terms

  • engraving
  • elements
  • allegory
Inscription

in margin below image, in plate: Mobilis, & rerum per cuncta meabilis AËR, / Afflatu alituum promovet omne genus: / Commotus nimbos tempestatesque minatur, / Tranquillus terris aequoirbusq[ue] favet. (Mobile Air, passable through all things, By his nourishing breath causes every species to advance: Aroused, he puts forth rain-storms and tempests, Tranquil, he favors lands and seas.) [translation from Melion, Walter S. and James Clifton_Through a Glass Darkly: Allegory & Faith in Nethlerlandish Prints from Lucas van Leyden to Rembrandt._Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, 2019, p. 51.]) / Corn. Kil. Duffl. / Adrian Collaert invent sculp & excud

Marks

none

Watermarks

present but undeciphered

NGA object ID 209756. 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.