Dedication page of 'Ominum pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus'
Engraving, dedication page of 'Omnium pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus' (Costumes of the various nations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America), a series of prints representing figures wearing ecclesiastical vestments from various parts of the world, engraved by Abraham de Bruyn and published by Joos de Bosscher in 1581.
The engraving consists of an architectural frame, flanked above by a winged, female personification of Soberb, riding a carriage pulled by two horses, between the standing female personifications of Temperance and Magnanimity. Between them, and under the frolicking horses that pull Soberb's carriage, are two grotesque oxes. In the center of the architectural structure is a rectangular frame which explains the need for clothing, as an expression of modesty, as demanded by God. Two peacocks stand on the upper edges of the frame, holding it in their beaks. To the left side of the inscription is a nude woman with two childres, possibly Eve, and to the right is a man, possibly Adam, whose feet are interlaced by a serpent. Between them is a small cartouche with a scene that depicts the expulsion of paradise: Adam and Eve run away from an angel, who asks them to leave the area around the tree of knowledge.
On the left and right sides of the sheet are two oval frames with scale motifs, each with the portrait of a woman, and between two rectangular frames with inscriptions that reveal the names of the women and their relevance to the book. On the left, Esther wears a short-sleeved gown with Empire waist and jeweled trimmings, and a turban-linke headdress, also with jeweled trimmings, a large brooch with pearls on her chest, bracelets, teardrop-pearl pendant earrings, and a belt. On the right, Isabela wears a dress with short puff sleeves that reveals her breasts, with jeweled trimmings, a pearl necklace, and a pointed headdress with a jeweled tiara.
The engraving consists of an architectural frame, flanked above by a winged, female personification of Soberb, riding a carriage pulled by two horses, between the standing female personifications of Temperance and Magnanimity. Between them, and under the frolicking horses that pull Soberb's carriage, are two grotesque oxes. In the center of the architectural structure is a rectangular frame which explains the need for clothing, as an expression of modesty, as demanded by God. Two peacocks stand on the upper edges of the frame, holding it in their beaks. To the left side of the inscription is a nude woman with two childres, possibly Eve, and to the right is a man, possibly Adam, whose feet are interlaced by a serpent. Between them is a small cartouche with a scene that depicts the expulsion of paradise: Adam and Eve run away from an angel, who asks them to leave the area around the tree of knowledge.
On the left and right sides of the sheet are two oval frames with scale motifs, each with the portrait of a woman, and between two rectangular frames with inscriptions that reveal the names of the women and their relevance to the book. On the left, Esther wears a short-sleeved gown with Empire waist and jeweled trimmings, and a turban-linke headdress, also with jeweled trimmings, a large brooch with pearls on her chest, bracelets, teardrop-pearl pendant earrings, and a belt. On the right, Isabela wears a dress with short puff sleeves that reveals her breasts, with jeweled trimmings, a pearl necklace, and a pointed headdress with a jeweled tiara.
Artwork Details
- Title: Dedication page of 'Ominum pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus'
- Artist: Abraham de Bruyn (Flemish, Antwerp 1540–1587 Cologne (?))
- Publisher: Joos de Bosscher (Netherlandish, active Amsterdam 1587–died 1591)
- Date: 1581
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Image: 8 13/16 × 13 1/16 in. (22.4 × 33.2 cm)
Frame: 10 1/2 × 14 7/8 in. (26.7 × 37.8 cm)
Sheet: 21 5/16 × 16 5/16 in. (54.2 × 41.5 cm)
Book: 21 7/8 × 16 3/4 × 1 15/16 in. (55.5 × 42.5 × 5 cm) - Classifications: Books, Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
- Object Number: 21.44(142)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Habitus variarum orbis gentium / Omnium pene Europae, Asiae, Aphricae atque Americae Gentium Habitus
Multiple artists/makers
1581
Abraham de Bruyn
1580–1600
Abraham de Bruyn
1580–1600
Abraham de Bruyn
1576
Abraham de Bruyn
Claes Jansz. Visscher
ca. 1577
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