Plate 24: Aurora (Dawn) - Jan de Bisschop

A detailed etching by Jan de Bisschop, documenting Michelangelo's Aurora sculpture from the Medici Chapel.

This etching by Jan de Bisschop is part of his influential collection, 'Signorum Veterum Icones', which documented classical sculptures found in Rome. The work depicts the figure of Aurora, based on the sculpture by Michelangelo located in the Medici Chapel. De Bisschop, a lawyer by profession and an amateur artist, possessed a keen eye for the nuances of classical form. His technique relies on precise, rhythmic hatching to define the musculature and the soft curvature of the reclining figure. The lines follow the contours of the body, creating a sense of volume and weight that mimics the physical presence of marble.

In this print, the figure rests upon a curved architectural element, her pose suggesting a state of awakening. The inscription 'M.A. Bon. e marm.' refers to Michelangelo Buonarroti and the original marble medium. De Bisschop utilised the etching process to translate the three-dimensional qualities of the sculpture into a two-dimensional graphic format. The background remains largely empty, focusing the viewer's attention entirely on the anatomical accuracy and the graceful posture of the subject. This print serves as an example of the seventeenth-century interest in classical antiquity and the systematic recording of European art history. The clarity of the line work and the balanced composition reflect the artist's dedication to capturing the essence of the original sculpture with fidelity. It remains a study of form, light, and shadow, demonstrating the technical capabilities of Dutch printmaking during this period.