Title Page for a Series of the Twelve Apostles - Crispijn van de Passe (I)

An original engraving by Crispijn van de Passe (I) featuring a central cartouche with Latin text, surrounded by four putti and symbolic religious iconography.

This engraving by Crispijn van de Passe (I) functions as the title page for a series depicting the twelve apostles. Van de Passe was a prolific Dutch printmaker, draughtsman, and publisher who operated across the Netherlands and Germany. His work is known for technical precision and the dissemination of Mannerist aesthetic principles throughout Europe.

The composition is structured around a central oval cartouche containing Latin text from the Gospel of Luke. This central element is framed by four putti, each holding a cross, which serves as a symbolic reference to the apostolic mission. Above the cartouche, a lamb is depicted beneath a crown, a traditional iconographic motif representing Christ. The surrounding frame incorporates scrollwork and decorative elements typical of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth-century print culture.

Van de Passe utilised fine, controlled lines to create depth and texture within the figures and the ornamental border. The engraving demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship associated with his workshop, which produced numerous series of religious, mythological, and allegorical prints. Such title pages were essential for establishing the thematic context of a series, often providing the viewer with a scriptural foundation before they engaged with the individual portraits of the apostles that followed. The clarity of the lettering and the balance of the decorative motifs reflect the disciplined approach of the Dutch school of engraving during this period. This print is a representative example of the intersection between religious devotion and the decorative arts in the early modern era, where the printed image acted as a primary vehicle for visual education and theological reflection.