Artist: Hendrik Hondius (I) (Dutch, 1573-1650). Hendrik Hondius (I) was a Flemish-born and trained engraver, cartographer, and publisher who settled in the Dutch Republic in 1597.
Title: Portrait of Pieter Bruegel. Pieter Bruegel the Elder (ca. 1525–1569) was the most significant artist of Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting, a painter and printmaker known for his landscapes and peasant scenes; he was a pioneer in making both types of subjects the focus of large paintings.
Titled, and Annotated: PETRO BRVEGEL, PICTORI. Quis nouus hic Hieronymus Orbi / Boschius? ingeniosa magistri / Somnia peniculoque, styloque / Tanta imitarier arte peritus, / Vt superet tamen interim et illum? // Macte animo, Petre, mactus vt arte. / Namque tuo, veterisque magistri / Ridiculo, salibusque referto / In graphices genere inclyta laudum / Præmia vbique, et ab omnibus vllo // Artifice haud leuiora mereris.”;
Inscription translation: Latin verses translation: “To the painter Pieter Bruegel. Who is this new Hieronymus Bosch for the world, versed in imitating the master's ingenious dreams with such great skill of paintbrush and pen—so that sometimes he surpasses even him. Pieter, blessed with talent and blessed with art! For in your own and your old master's comical and quick-witted genre, you deserve glorious words of praise everywhere and from everyone—no less than any other artist.” The British Museum 1925,1117.139.
Dimensions: Sheet 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Mat 14" x11".
Publisher: Hendrick Hondius (I).
Date: 1610.
Materials and Techniques: engraving on laid paper, margins extended with wove paper.
Mat and Frame: Matted.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Part of: Series of 72 artist portraits made by Hendrick Hondius I, Simon Frisius, and Andries Jacobsz. Stock and Robert de Baudous.
Museums and Libraries: The Rijksmuseum RP-P-1907-352.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: Dutch School XVII C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of the same item from the collection of the Rijksmuseum.