1558 -1617 · Haarlem mannerism, engraving and painting

Explore Hendrick Goltzius, virtuoso of Nordic mannerism, whose engravings, pen drawings and mythological paintings transform the body into energy, line and invention.

Born in 1558 near the border between what is now the Netherlands and Germany, Hendrick Goltzius first learned glass painting from his father. A burn suffered during childhood distorts his right hand, but does not prevent him from developing exceptional graphic virtuosity. Trained in engraving with Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert, he settled in Haarlem and founded his own publishing workshop in 1582. With Cornelis van Haarlem and Karel van Mander, he participated in the emergence of Haarlem's mannerism, nourished by the study of the nude and by Italian art. His engraved line swells, thins, revolves around muscles and produces almost sculptural lighting effects. The Heroes series romans, the Dishonored and the Passion show his ability to imitate and then go beyond the styles of Dürer, Lucas de Leiden or Barocci. The trip to Italy from 1590 -1591 deepened his interest in Antiquity and Michelangelo. Around 1598, Goltzius abandoned active management of the engraving workshop to his stepson Jacob Matham to devote himself to painting. Mythologies, allegories and monumental nudes retained the energy of his drawing while exploring flesh, color and light. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis inscribe the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Coronis place the human figure in this vast poetic and moral repertoire. Apollo and Muses like Apollo and Its reading favors the story.

In Goltzius, the line has musculature: it swells, tenses and rotates around the body until it makes the copper, pen or paint also alive.