The Four Elements

Artist Jacob Matham (Dutch, 1571–1631)

Artist Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617)

Dateabout 1588

Mediumengraving on thin, slightly textured cream laid paper

Dimensions30.5 x 21.6 cm (12 x 8 1/2 in.)
Overall1: 30.2 x 21.1 cm (11 7/8 x 8 5/16 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineEliza S. Paine Fund

Object number1992.11

DescriptionPlate No. 1 from a "Set of Eight Mythological and Allegorical Subjects."
Label TextAround 1585, Goltzius made a group of drawings comprising a repertoire of figures, poses, and personalities derived from Bartolomäus Spranger’s sketches, brought to Haarlem by Van Mander. A few years later, when his stepson had become expert with the burin, he engraved eight of these designs, to be published as a suite. The first plate of Matham’s series represents personifications of the four Aristotlean elements, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. In creating their figures and attributes, Goltzius drew upon classical and folkloric symbols, and his own imagination.ProvenancePia Gallo, P.O. Box 11678, Chicago, IL 60611

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