Portrait of Hendrick Goltzius - Jacob Matham

A detailed 1630 engraving by Jacob Matham portraying the Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius within an ornate oval frame.

This engraving by Jacob Matham depicts the Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius. Matham, who was the stepson and pupil of Goltzius, produced this portrait in 1630, shortly before his own death. The composition follows the conventions of seventeenth-century portraiture, presenting the subject within an oval frame that serves as a formal border. Goltzius is shown in profile, wearing a ruff and a dark doublet, reflecting the attire of the period. The surrounding frame includes Latin inscriptions, identifying the sitter and his profession as both painter and sculptor.

At the top of the frame, a small emblem features a bird, while the base contains a cartouche with a caduceus, a symbol often associated with the arts and commerce. The lower section of the print includes a Latin verse by T. Schrevelius, which praises the virtue and artistic contributions of the subject. The technique demonstrates the precision characteristic of the Haarlem school of engraving. Matham employs varied line weights to define the texture of the ruff, the folds of the clothing, and the contours of the face. The background of the print is filled with subtle, cross-hatched patterns that provide depth without distracting from the central figure. This work provides a clear record of the appearance of one of the most influential figures in Dutch printmaking, captured by a close associate who understood the technical demands of the medium.