Virgilius in de mand

About this artwork

hoogte 268 mm x breedte 184 mm

Art Historical Context

**Virgilius in de mand** (Virgil in the Basket), a delicate pen drawing by Dutch artist Pieter Cornelisz known as "Kunst," dates to 1523. 268 mm by 184 mm, this intimate work exemplifies the meticulous draughtsmanship of the early Northern Renaissance in the Netherlands. Cornelisz., active in Haarlem around 15001550, was renowned for his detailed sketches and engravings, blending Gothic precision with emerging Renaissance naturalism. The title refers to a popular medieval legend from the *Mirabilia urbis Romae* tradition, where the ancient Roman poet Virgil—often mythologized as a sorcerer—is humiliated by being hoisted in a basket from a Naples tower, symbolizing the clash between classical wisdom and superstitious folklore. Such motifs were common in 16th-century Northern European art, reflecting humanist fascination with antiquity amid religious and cultural shifts during the Reformation era. Crafted solely in pen, likely on paper, the piece highlights Cornelisz.'s mastery of line work—fine hatching and contouring to convey texture and narrative drama. Its modest scale suggests it was a preparatory study or collector's item, underscoring the rising value of drawings as standalone artworks in Renaissance workshops. A charming window into folklore's enduring grip on the imagination.