Border Illustration with Scenes from the Life of Christ and Putti Pouring Wine
1613/1646
Medium
engraving on laid paper [proof before letters]
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
William B. O'Neal Fund
Accession Number
1996.78.42
Art Historical Context
This enchanting *Border Illustration with Scenes from the Life of Christ and Putti Pouring Wine* is a fine example of 17th-century Netherlandish printmaking, created between 1613 and 1646. Produced as an engraving on laid paper—a proof before letters, meaning it lacks the final inscribed text—this rarity offers a glimpse into the artist's working process. Such proofs were prized by collectors for their pristine state, capturing the pure lines and details before publication. The composition blends sacred and playful elements: vignettes from Christ's life evoke the devotional art central to Nor...