Hearing, from The Five Senses

Art Historical Context

**Hearing, from *The Five Senses*** Adriaen Collaert, a masterful Flemish engraver active in Antwerp during the late 16 century, created this exquisite print around 1580–1590. Part of a renowned series personifying the five senses,Hearing* captures the Renaissance fascination with human perception, blending allegory with vivid detail. Collaert, known for his reproductive engravings often inspired by leading designers, contributed to the booming Antwerp print trade, which democratized art for collectors across Europe. Engraved on fine ivory laid paper—a premium medium prized for its smooth texture and subtle sheen—this work measures a modest plate size of 11.7 × 28.7 cm, allowing for intimate appreciation. The engraving technique, involving precise incisions into a copper plate, yields sharp lines and rich tonal contrasts, showcasing Collaert's technical virtuosity. Prints like this were revolutionary, enabling affordable multiples of complex imagery that celebrated sensory delights amid the era's scientific and artistic curiosity. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, *Hearing* reflects the cultural zeitgeist of Northern Mannerism, where senses symbolized both pleasure and moral caution in emblematic traditions. Visitors will delight in its delicate craftsmanship, a window into how 16th-century artists harmonized sight and sound on paper.