Envy

Art Historical Context

**Envy**, an exquisite engraving on laid paper attributed to Jacob Matham after Hendrik Goltzius dates to around 1587. Measuring just 21.2 x 14 cm, this print captures the personification of the deadly sin in a compact yet powerful composition. Goltzius, a of Northern Mannerism from the Dutch Renaissance, was renowned for his designs, while Matham, his talented pupil and son-in-law expertly translated them into engraving—a meticulous intaglio technique where intricate lines incised into a metal plate hold ink to produce rich, tonal depth on paper. Created during the late 16th century in the Netherlands, when printmaking flourished as an accessible art form for collectors and scholars, this work exemplifies the era's fascination with moral allegories. Laid paper, with its subtle chain lines, was the premium choice for high-quality prints, ensuring durability and fine detail. Goltzius's influence elevated engraving to rival painting in expressiveness, blending exaggerated forms and dramatic shading to evoke emotion. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art's print collection (gift of the Estate of Leo Steinberg), *Envy* invites visitors to ponder human vices through Renaissance eyes—timeless yet vividly period-specific. A testament to collaborative genius, it highlights how prints democratized art, sparking reflection in homes and studies alike.