Title Page for G. de St. Vincent, Opus Geometricum Quadraturae Circuli1647
Cornelis Galle II made this in 1647, aged 32. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. More about this work
About this work
This is a drawing of a mythological or allegorical scene. The scene features various figures of different ages engaged in activities around a central structure resembling an ornate draped curtain held up by columns. There is a celestial element shining down from the top, and an emblem or coat of arms held by winged figures at the very top. The figures are dressed in flowing robes and interact with each other and objects such as a globe and a staff. The composition is rich with symbolism, typical of artwork focused on narrative depth and storytelling.
Description from the National Gallery of Art.
Cornelis Galle II made this in 1647, aged 32. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
How it was made
- Engraving
- Lines cut directly into a metal plate with a steel burin, which makes them swell and taper. It took years to master, and for centuries it was how paintings travelled as pictures.
- Laid paper
- Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.
Cornelis Galle II
Netherlandish, 1615–1678
Rights and the museum’s record
Public domain. The National Gallery of Art has dedicated this image to the public domain under CC0, so anyone may copy, adapt and use it, for any purpose, without asking. Our prints and files are reproductions made from the museum’s image; the museum doesn’t endorse them.
- Object number
- 1996.78.19
- Credit
- Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
- Type
- Licence
- CC0 1.0 Universal
- Museum record
- See it on the museum’s site
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Close in colour
