The Four Disgracers
Hendrick Goltzius, after Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, 1588
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The series of four falling mythological figures – Tantalus, Icarus, Phaeton and Ixion – ranks among the masterpieces of printmaking. No engraver before Goltzius had expressed the illusion of three-dimensionality so convincingly. His innovative technique of swelling and tapering lines perfectly conveys the plasticity of muscular bodies, contrasted with the finely-engraved landscape. The series of four figures in similar positions but seen from different angles, with audacious foreshortening, proudly proclaims the skills of the two artists – the engraver Goltzius and the designer Cornelis van Haarlem. Nonetheless, it is mainly the rendering of the engraving itself that makes the series so impressive. Goltzius’ influence reached well beyond his numerous pupils: his virtuosity inspired generations of engravers and continues to be admired to this day. A long history connects me with the Disgracers. My first task at the National Gallery was to contribute to the book of masterpieces of the Collection of Prints and Drawings. Among other things, I chose Phaethon for its technical perfection and beauty. I still have his picture next to my desk.
— Blanka Kubíková, Senior Curator of Old Master Prints and Drawings, National Gallery Prague
Object details
The Four Disgracers 1588
Series of four prints, represented here Phaethon
Engraving | ø 335 mm (each) | Inv. no. 53.601.338
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Hendrick Goltzius
Brüggen 1558 – 1617 Haarlem
after Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem
Haarlem 1562 – 1638 Haarlem
Gallery
