The image depicts a person standing with a dynamic pose. One hand is raised upwards and the other is pointing downwards. The individual's body is exposed with well-defined muscles. They are wearing a flowing piece of drapery attached from one shoulder. The person's face is angled upwards with finely carved facial features. They have curly hair and an object resembling antlers or tree branches on their head. No jewelry is visible. The background features swirling patterns resembling clouds, creating a dramatic setting around the figure. The oval framing adds to the sense of movement and energy in the composition.
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The image depicts a person standing with a dynamic pose. One hand is raised upwards and the other is pointing downwards. The individual's body is exposed with well-defined muscles. They are wearing a flowing piece of drapery attached from one shoulder. The person's face is angled upwards with finely carved facial features. They have curly hair and an object resembling antlers or tree branches on their head. No jewelry is visible. The background features swirling patterns resembling clouds, creating a dramatic setting around the figure. The oval framing adds to the sense of movement and energy in the composition.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Aether

Hendrik Goltzius

Date
1588/1590
Medium
chiaroscuro woodcut in gold, olive and black on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet (oval): 34.7 × 26.5 cm (13 11/16 × 10 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.4635
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
Gods and Goddesses [Hirschmann 367-372]

Subjects and terms

  • Dutch
  • Costume
  • chiaroscuro
  • Male nude
Inscription

recto: in black block at lower center: HG. fe.; verso:at lower center in graphite in later hand: B. 234 / Dut. 234 / H. 274; at lower right in graphite in later hand: KK 792

Marks

recto: none; verso: Z stamped in black ink [unidentified, Lugt 2678f] and National Gallery of Art

Watermarks

to be identified

NGA object ID 7374. 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.