Border Illustration with the Ascension of Christ, Keys and Fish
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
1996.78.41
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the National Gallery of Art, where this intriguing *Border Illustration with the Ascension of Christ, Keys and Fish* transports visitors to the vibrant world of 17th-century Netherlandish printmaking. Created by an anonymous Netherlandish artist between 1613 and 1646, this engraving on laid paper is a rare "proof before letters"—an early impression pulled from the plate before the addition of text like the artist's name or title. Such proofs are prized for their pristine quality, capturing the pure lines and intricate details straight from the copper plate. Engraving, a meticulous ...