"Allegory of Justice": A 17th Century Old Master Engraving by Van Swanenburg, 1605

Description

This old master engraving entitled "Allegorie op de Rechtspraak" is by Willem van Swaanenburg after a painting by Joachim Wtewael, … more This old master engraving entitled "Allegorie op de Rechtspraak" is by Willem van Swaanenburg after a painting by Joachim Wtewael, published by Christoffel van Sichem I in Amsterdam in 1606. It is plate 11 of 13 in the series Thronus Justitiae (Allegory of Justice), which includes scenes from the bible, ancient history, and legend. It depicts a street scene in which a shepherd attempts to hand a sheet of paper, possibly an appeal or a complaint, to a judge at left, who appears to reject it as he turns away. A groups of soldiers, including pikemen are seen on the right. City scenes and architecture are depicted in the background.

The engraving is held by many major museums, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Museum, The Riksmuseum and The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Reference: Hollstein 60 and for the series Hollstein 49-62.

The engraving is presented in a white mat. It is printed on laid, chain-linked paper. The sheet measures 10.75" in height and 15" in width. Four lines of verse have been trimmed from the lower margin and the sheet is tightly trimmed on the left. There is minimal blunting of the left upper corner and a tiny pinhole in the upper portion, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition.

Willem van Swanenburg (1580-1612) was a Dutch old master engraver working in Leiden, Netherlands. He learned his craft in the studios of his father Isaac van Swanenburg and Jan Saenredam. His brothers, Jacob (1572-1652) and Claes (1572-1652), both became prominent painters.

Joachim Wtewael (1566-1638) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, sculptor and stained glass painter, working primarily in Utrecht, Netherlands. He studied with the painter Joos de Beer, who also trained his contemporary and fellow Utrecht artist Abraham Bloemaert. He was one of the founding member of the Utrecht Guild of St. Luke in 1611 and a member of the Utrecht city council and a successful flax merchant. Wtewael was one of the leading artists in the Dutch Northern Mannerism movement. Artists Hendrick de Keyser, Peter van Winsen and Andries van Bochhoven studied under him as did his son, the painter Peter Wtewael

Christoffel van Sichem I (1546-1624) was a Flemish engraver, etcher, woodcutter, printer and publisher. The name van Sichem refers to a village in Brabant where his father was born. less