Autumnus

About this artwork

Gift of Jonkvrouw A.C. Teding van Berkhout, Amsterdam and S.F., Baroness van Höevell-Teding van Berkhout, Bergen (Noord-Holland)

Art Historical Context

**Autumnus** is a striking 16th-century engraving by Cornelis Cort, a masterful Dutch printmaker active during the Renaissance. Created in 1565, this work measures 292 mm high by 218 mm wide, capturing the essence of autumn through intricate lines and textures typical of the engraving medium. Cort, renowned for his technical precision and collaboration with leading painters like Maarten van Heemskerck and Titian, elevated printmaking to rival painting in detail and expressiveness. As one of likely depictions from a series on the seasons—suggested by the Latin title *Autumnus*—this piece reflects the era's fascination with personifying nature, blending classical mythology with Northern European realism. Engraving, an intaglio technique where metal plates are incised and inked, allowed for exceptional fine lines and tonal depth, making high-quality reproductions accessible beyond elite patrons. This democratized art during a time of religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. Generously gifted by Jonkvrouw A.C. Teding van Berkhout and S.F., Baroness van Höevell-Teding van Berkhout, *Autumnus* embodies the enduring legacy of Dutch collecting traditions. It invites visitors to appreciate how Cort's innovations bridged Italian Renaissance ideals with Northern craftsmanship, offering a window into seasonal cycles that resonated deeply in agrarian societies.

About the Artist

Cornelis Cort · 1533–1578

Comment on works: copper engraver; engraver; etcher