Title page (Creation of the World) - Jan Harmensz. Muller

A detailed 1589 engraving by Jan Harmensz. Muller depicting the allegorical creation of the world, based on designs by Hendrick Goltzius.

This engraving serves as the title page for a series depicting the Creation of the World, based on designs by Hendrick Goltzius. Jan Harmensz. Muller, a master of the Dutch Mannerist tradition, demonstrates his technical precision through the use of varied line weights and cross-hatching to define the musculature of the figures and the atmospheric clouds. The circular composition centres on a large, dark sphere, representing the nascent earth, which is being manipulated by two muscular male figures. These figures, rendered in the exaggerated, elongated style typical of the period, hold ropes attached to celestial bodies, suggesting the divine ordering of the cosmos.

Above the sphere, a cloud-like manifestation of a deity oversees the process, adding a sense of scale and theological weight to the scene. The lower portion of the print features a cartouche containing Latin text, which provides a narrative context for the creation story. The contrast between the dark, polished surface of the sphere and the lighter, textured clouds creates a sense of depth and volume. Muller’s ability to translate Goltzius’s complex compositions into refined engravings made him one of the most sought-after printmakers in the Netherlands during the late sixteenth century. This work reflects the period's fascination with classical anatomy, humanism, and the intersection of scientific inquiry with religious iconography. The print is a fine example of the collaborative nature of print production in the Dutch Republic, where designers and engravers worked in close proximity to produce high-quality works for a growing market of collectors and scholars.