BK-15435

About this artwork

hoogte 15,5 cm x breedte 22,2 cm x dikte 3,8 cm

Art Historical Context

**BK-15435 by Albert Jansz Vinckenbrinck (ca. 1650)** Crafted around 1650 during the Dutch Golden Age, this exquisite boxwood artwork by Albert Jansz Vinckenbrinck exemplifies the era's mastery of miniature sculpture. Measuring just 15.5 cm, 22.2 cm wide, and approximately 3.8 cm thick, its compact form highlights the artist's extraordinary skill in handling boxwood—a dense, fine-grained hardwood prized by Northern European carvers for its ability to capture intricate details without splintering. Vinckenbrinck, active in the mid-17th century, was part of a tradition of virtuoso wood sculptors in the Netherlands, where such small-scale works often served as devotional objects or collector's items for the prosperous merchant class. Boxwood's significance lies in its suitability for micro-carving techniques, allowing for delicate reliefs and layered scenes that rival ivory in finesse. This piece reflects the period's fascination with technical bravura, blending Protestant restraint with Catholic-inspired complexity in craftsmanship. Though its precise subject remains unrecorded here, works like this captivated collectors for their optical illusions and hidden depths, viewable through magnifying lenses. A testament to 17th-century ingenuity, BK-15435 invites visitors to marvel at how such modest dimensions could house worlds of artistry. (198 words)