Study for an engraving in the Hortus Voluptatum (1599)

Dated 1599, "Study for an engraving in the Hortus Voluptatum" is an artwork by Crispijn de Passe the Elder. Historical background, 1599: The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. 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. Background on Drawings: 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 landscape.

"Study for an engraving in the Hortus Voluptatum" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Drawings and sketches stand out through line clarity and a sense of the artist process, which makes them a natural fit for minimalist, monochrome, and graphic interiors. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Flemish, 1564–1637

If you like the visual language of Crispijn de Passe the Elder, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.