Hendrik Goltsius is best known as a virtuoso engraver who created his school of cut engraving. The artist was born in Mulbrecht and worked until his death in Haarlem. His work was never at rest, the master worked tirelessly, kept looking for new approaches, repeating the experiments of great predecessors, practicing in drawing.
By the end of his life, Goltzius began painting and created works on allegorical themes. The “self-portrait” of the artist is executed with amazing thoroughness, a minute elaboration of details, reminiscent of the author’s interest in German naturalism of the Renaissance.
Goltsius created the image of a man of art, who thinks about beauty and perfection, who is in constant creative search. “The work never satisfied him,” wrote J. Van Mander about his well-known Holtzius. Among other famous works are “Venus and Adonis”.
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