Plate 6, from Landscapes with Scenes from the Old and New Testament and Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Art Historical Context

Hans Bol’s *Plate 6, from with Scenes from the Old New Testament and Ovid’soses* (1574) is a delicate etching on ivory laid paper measuring a compact 12.5 × 18.5 cm. Created in Antwerp during the height of the Dutch Golden Age's early stirrings, this print exemplifies Bol’s mastery as a Flemish artist renowned for intricate landscape series. Working in a Mannerist style, Bol populated his scenes with tiny biblical figures—drawing from both Testaments—and mythological episodes from Ovid, blending sacred and classical narratives in a harmonious, detailed backdrop of rolling hills, forests, and distant architecture. Etching allowed Bol to achieve fine lines and textures unattainable in earlier woodcuts, capturing the atmospheric depth of 16th-century Netherlandish landscapes. This medium, paired with the smooth ivory laid paper, preserved the print’s luminosity and precision, making it ideal for collectors. The series reflects Renaissance humanism’s fusion of Christian devotion and pagan lore, a cultural bridge amid religious tensions in the Spanish Netherlands. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings Department, this plate invites viewers to ponder how everyday landscapes framed timeless stories, showcasing Bol’s innovative role in elevating printmaking as fine art. A gem for its historical snapshot of Antwerp’s vibrant print culture!

About the Artist

Hans Bol · 1534–1593

Hans Bol (1534–1593) was a Netherlandish painter, draftsman, and miniaturist known for his exquisite landscape compositions and detailed miniature paintings. Born in Mechelen (Malines) in the Spanish Netherlands, he trained there and became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke. His early career was disrupted by the religious upheavals of the Dutch Revolt; the sack of Mechelen in 1572 forced him to ...