Arithmetic (c. 1597)

Dated c. 1597, "Arithmetic" is an artwork by Cornelis Jacobsz Drebbel. Historical background, c. 1597: The sixteenth century includes the High Renaissance in Italy, the Mannerist generation that followed it, and the Northern Renaissance of artists such as Dürer, Holbein, and Bruegel. The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. Drawings in brief: Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. The catalogue places it in Drawings. The format is portrait.

"Arithmetic" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

Dutch, 1572–1633

If you like the visual language of Cornelis Jacobsz Drebbel, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.