Hendrick Goltzius

This engraving depicts the artist at an advanced age, featuring a long beard, a ruff collar, and a fur-trimmed mantle. He is framed within an arch, with a classical bust and torches visible in the upper corners. His intense gaze and the fine detail of the line-work reflect the sophisticated Mannerist style of the late 16th century.

Hendrick Goltzius was the leading figure of the Haarlem Mannerists and a frequent contributor to the visual language of the late Renaissance, creating complex mythological and alchemical allegories. His work was highly valued at the court of Rudolf II in Prague, where he was part of an intellectual circle that bridged natural philosophy, art, and the esoteric tradition.