Simeon, from The Twelve Sons of Jacob

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th century, Dutch engraver Jacques de Gheyn II crafted this intricate image of *Simeon, from The Twelve Sons of Jacob* around 1589. As one of twelve engravings depicting the biblical patriarch Jacob's sons—each symbolized by attributes from Genesis 49—this work reflects the era's fascination with Old Testament narratives amid the Protestant Reformation. De Gheyn, a pupil of the renowned Hendrick Goltzius, worked in the Mannerist style, characterized by elongated figures, rich detail, and dramatic poses that bridge Renaissance precision with emerging Baroque expressiveness. Printed on fine ivory laid paper, the engraving showcases de Gheyn's technical virtuosity. Using a burin to incise fine lines into a copper plate, he achieved subtle tonal gradations and textures, from Simeon's flowing robes to symbolic props like his sword and shield, evoking his warrior legacy. At just 16 × 11.3 cm, the plate's intimate scale invited close study, making these affordable prints popular for collectors and devotional use. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this piece highlights engraving's role in democratizing art during the Dutch Golden Age's dawn, preserving de Gheyn's legacy as a master of narrative miniature. Visitors will appreciate its blend of spiritual depth and artistic finesse.

About the Artist

Jacques de Gheyn, II · 1565–1629

Jacques de Gheyn II (1565–1629) was born in Antwerp into an artistic family, receiving his earliest instruction from his father, Jacob de Gheyn I, a skilled glass painter, engraver, and draftsman. In 1585, the young de Gheyn moved to Haarlem, where he spent five formative years studying under Hendrik Goltzius, one of the most celebrated engravers of the Northern Renaissance. This apprenticeship pr...