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Sense of Sight, plate from Quinque sensum typi in usum aurifabroru exarati (Images of the Five Senses Engraved for the Benefit of the Goldsmith)

Crispijn de Passe the Elder, Dutch, ca. 1565 - 1637

ca. 1580

Sense of Sight, plate from Quinque sensum typi in usum aurifabroru exarati (Images of the Five Senses Engraved for the Benefit of the Goldsmith) by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, Dutch, ca. 1565 - 1637

Classification

ornament

Department

Smithsonian Collection

Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Credit

Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John I. Kane

Accession Number

1945-6-2-b

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Sense of Sight**, delicate engraving plate by Dutch Crispijn de Passe the Elder (ca. 1565–1637), forms part of the series *Quinque sensum typi usum aurifabrorum exarati*— for "Images of the Senses Engraved for Benefit of Goldsmiths." Created around 1580, this work captures the Renaissance fascination with the human senses through allegorical imagery, likely personifying Sight with symbolic motifs like eyes, mirrors, or optical devices rendered in intricate line work. De Passe, a master engraver from Antwerp, specialized in reproductive prints and ornamental designs that bridged fine art and...

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