Icones Prophetarum Veteris Testamenti

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, where you'll find *Icones Prophetarum Veter Testamenti* (Icons of the Prophets of the Testament), an exquisite engraving by Jan van der Straet, known asadanus (1523–1605). This work, measuring a compact 6 7/8 x 4 15/16 inches, captures the artist's flair for depicting biblical figures from the Old Testament, likely as part of a devotional series that brought sacred narratives to a wider audience. Stradan, a Flemish Mannerist who thrived in Renaissance Florence under the Medici patronage, mastered engravings that blended Northern precision with Italian elegance. Engraving, a labor-intensive intaglio technique where lines are incised into a metal plate and inked for printing, allowed his intricate designs to be reproduced affordably, democratizing art during the 16th century. His style often featured dynamic compositions and symbolic details, reflecting the era's fascination with antiquity and scripture amid the Counter-Reformation. This print exemplifies how prints fueled religious devotion and cultural exchange, bridging Northern Europe and Italy. Acquired through The Elisha Whittelsey Fund in 1959, it invites us to ponder the prophets' timeless wisdom rendered in delicate lines—a testament to Stradanus's enduring legacy in printmaking.

About the Artist

Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus · 1523–1605

Jan van der Straet, known as Stradanus or Giovanni Stradano, was born in Bruges in 1523 into an artistic family. He received his earliest training in his father Jan van der Straet's painting workshop until the latter's death in 1535, followed by an apprenticeship with Bruges master Maximiliaen Francken from 1535 to 1537. Stradanus then moved to Antwerp, studying under Pieter Aertsen from 1537 to 1...