Selected works

This selection gathers the sheets that Vladan Antonović singled out in his dissertation (Innsbruck 2002) and interpreted iconographically and iconologically. Each sheet links to its catalogue page with zoom and a full commentary.

↓ dissertation as PDF (V. Antonović, Innsbruck 2002)

Background: Graphic allegory.

Humanist allegory & the triad of fortune

• Allegorical Gestalt - HermathenaHans von Aachen“Hermathena”, Aegidius Sadeler the Younger after Hans von Aachen (devised by Joris Hoefnagel), 1595 – a humanist masterpiece.fig. 23
• Allegorical Representation - Occasio - GelegenheitSadeler, Aegidius d. J. nach Schwarz, Christoph“Opportunity” (Occasio), Aegidius Sadeler the Younger after Christoph Schwarz – the opening of the fortune-triad.fig. 22
• Allegorical Representation the BelohnungSadeler, Aegidius d. J. nach Witte, Peter de“The Reward” (Praemium), Aegidius Sadeler the Younger after Peter de Witte (Candid) – the closing image of the fortune-triad Occasio · Cursus · Praemium.fig. 17
• Minerva and Mercury übergeben the Perseus the WaffenMuller, Jan nach Spranger, Bartholomäus“Minerva, Mercury and Perseus”, Jan Muller after Bartholomäus Spranger – a magnificent Rudolfine print from the fifth volume, cited in the dissertation as fig.fig. 24
• Allegorical Representation of the Sieges - MinervaSadeler, Aegidius d. J. nach Spranger, Bartholomäus“Minerva”, Aegidius Sadeler the Younger – a companion to the Rudolfine allegorical series of the fifth volume (fig.fig. 25
• Title Page - Allegorical Representation of the wahrhaften of LifeHoefnagel, Jacob nach Hoefnagel, Joris“The true life” (Jacob Hoefnagel) – an allegorical emblem sheet from the Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii, discussed in the dissertation together with “The course of the world” (fig.fig. 21a
• Allegorical Representation -Rückschrittlicher Lauf the WorldHoefnagel, Jacob nach Hoefnagel, Joris“The backward course of the world” (Jacob Hoefnagel), from the Archetypa.fig. 21b

Litis Abusus – the abuse of litigation

• Allegorical Representation - Eigennützige Streitereien vertreiben Nächstenliebe, Eintracht and GottesfurchtCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?First sheet of the eight-part cycle on the abuse of litigation (Litis Abusus, Dirck Volkertsz.fig. 9
• Allegorical Representation - Unerfahrener Notar in the Begleitug of Betrug and FälschungCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?Second sheet of the Litis Abusus cycle: “The inexperienced notary accompanied by Deceit and Forgery.” Coornhert after Heemskerck.fig. 10
• Allegorical Representation - Zug of the Streites to a ProzessCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?“The procession of Strife and the litigant towards a lawsuit” (Coornhert after Heemskerck).fig. 11
• Allegorical Representation - Streitende in the Begleitung of Reichtum and SchamlosigkeitCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?“Litigants accompanied by Wealth, Patience and Shamelessness.” The judges confer before the court dais; the litigant laboriously climbs the steps carrying two heavy sacks full of bribe money.fig. 12
• Allegorical Representation - Bitteres Schicksal of the StreitendenCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?“The bitter fate of the litigant.” Strife sits enthroned, fed by the litigant with his farm property; the maw on its belly spews out the daughters “Give!fig. 13
• Allegorical Representation - Unruhe and Angst vertreiben the süßen Schlaf from the Bett of the StreitendenCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?“Unrest and Anxiety drive sweet sleep from the litigant’s bed.” The litigant lies in bed with his lawsuit papers; Unrest of the heart (Inquietatio Cordis) holds his candle, anxious Care (Anxia Cura) whips sweet Sleep (Somnus dulcis) out of the room.fig. 14
• Allegorical Representation - Dornenpfad the GerechtigkeitCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?“The thorny path of Justice.” The honourable cause (Bona Causa) is driven through a gauntlet: on the left the unjust side (corrupt judges, inexperienced advocates, false witnesses), on the right the just (truthful witnesses, honest proctors, righteous judges).fig. 15
• Allegorical Representation - Armut and schlechtes Gewissen schaufeln the Feuergrab for the StreitendenCoornhert, Dirck Volkertsz nach Heemskerck, Maarten van ?Final sheet of the Litis Abusus cycle: “Poverty and a bad conscience dig the fiery grave for the litigant” – the ultimate fate of the one who has devoted himself to strife.fig. 16

Stradanus – knowledge, workshop & invention

• MaleratelierCollaert, Hans oder Galle, Theodor“Homage to painting – the workshop of Jan van Eyck” (Color Olivi), after Johannes Stradanus, published by Philipp Galle.fig. 19
• AlchimistenkücheCollaert, Hans oder Galle, Theodor“The alchemist’s kitchen” (Distillatio), after Johannes Stradanus, published by Philipp Galle – from the circle of the Nova Reperta (newest inventions).fig. 20
• Allegorical Representation - Frömmigkeit Kupferstich 220 x 282 mmSadeler, Raphael nach Stradanus, Johannes“Piety” (Pietas), Raphael Sadeler after Johannes Stradanus, from the mirror-for-princes Schema seu speculum principum (Venice 1597).fig. 18

Politics, power & princely homage

• Allegorical Representation - Huldigung on Bayern through Kurfürsten Maximilian I. and Maximilian II. EmanuelAmling, Carl Gustav von nach Wolff, Johann Andreas“Homage to Bavaria by the Electors Maximilian I and Maximilian II Emanuel”, Carl Gustav von Amling after Johann Andreas Wolff – an example of graphic allegory in the service of politics and power (fig.fig. 35
• Allegorsche Representation - Huldigung on Emperor Charles V. and his Siege over FranceUnbekannter deutsche Stecher nach 1544“Homage to Emperor Charles V and his victory over France” – a sovereign triumph-allegory, assigned in the dissertation (fig.fig. 36
• Innsbrucker Thesis Print in Philosophie vom Jahre 1674 with the InnsbruckerKilian, Bartholomäus nach Schor, Egid“Innsbruck thesis-print with the Innsbruck miraculous image”, Bartholomäus Kilian – a university thesis as an allegorical reproductive print whose imagery refers entirely to its patron (fig.fig. 43
• Allegorical Representation - Verherrlichung of the Gnadenbildes the Allerseeligsten Jungfrau of Svat? Kopeček with OlomoucSchmutzer, Andreas und Joseph nach Troger, Paul“Glorification of the miraculous image of Svatý Kopeček”, Andreas and Joseph Schmutzer (after Aegidius Schor / Paul Troger) – a large pilgrimage thesis-print (engraving, 400 × 229 mm) from the volume of Tyrolean artists (fig.fig. 42
• MaximilianusHans BurkmairEmperor Maximilian I from the Habsburg genealogy by Hans Burgkmair (48 woodcuts in the collection), which most probably comes from Ambras Castle (fig.fig. 38
• Emperor Maximilian I.Daniel HopferDaniel Hopfer’s iron etching with the profile bust of Emperor Maximilian I (monogram “DH”), reproduced in the dissertation as fig.fig. 6

Faith, Bible & morality

• Susanna and the two AltenJegher, Christoffel nach Rubens, Peter Paul“Susanna and the Elders”, Christoffel Jegher (woodcut after Rubens) – an Old-Testament subject of chastity and false accusation (fig.fig. 27
• Hiob in the Elend, of Dämonen gepeinigtVorsterman, Lukas d. Ä. nach Rubens, Peter Paul“Job tormented by demons”, Lukas Vorsterman the Elder after Peter Paul Rubens – an example of Flemish reproductive engraving after Rubens in the sixth volume (fig.fig. 26
• King Saul spricht with the Hexe of Endor with Samuels GeistEhinger, Gabriel nach Schönfeld, Johann Heinrich“King Saul and the Witch of Endor”, Gabriel Ehinger after Johann Heinrich Schönfeld – a nocturnal Old-Testament conjuring scene (fig.fig. 28
• Raising of Lazarus of BethanyUnbekannter Stecher nach Rembrandt van Rijn“The Raising of Lazarus”, after Rembrandt van Rijn – in the seventh volume of the collection; reproduced in the dissertation as fig.fig. 29
• Thesis Print of Jan Antonin Losy of LosynthalKilian, Bartholomäus nach Skreta, Karel“Deucalion and Pyrrha”, Bartholomäus Kilian – the ancient myth of the renewal of humankind after the flood (fig.fig. 31
• Traumgesicht of the NebukadnezzarFonbonne, Quirijn nach Picart, Bernard“The dream vision of Nebuchadnezzar”, Quirin Fonbonne – from Picart’s Bible (eleventh volume), a biblical dream vision (fig.fig. 37
• Creation of the LichtesHans Lachner“The creation of light”, Hans Lachner – a creation scene from the thirteenth volume (fig.fig. 41A
• Martin Luther with halo and TaubeHans Baldung Grien“Martin Luther with halo and dove”, Hans Baldung Grien – an early Reformation portrait (fig.fig. 39
• Letter AJan Theodor de BryDecorative letter “A” with Adam and Eve, Johann Theodor de Bry (signed “I.E.B.fig. 40
• Allegorical Representation - Schlafende Gerechtigkeit - The World LaufBarthel Beham“Sleeping Justice” by (Barthel) Beham – cited in the dissertation as an example from the first volume of German masters of the 15th/16th century (fig.fig. 5

The work of art, portrait & view

• Knight, Death and TeufelAlbrecht DürerDürer’s engraving “Knight, Death and the Devil” serves Antonović in the chapter Graphic allegory as a work of art as a prime example: the fearless pilgrim on the road of our destiny embodies an allegory of human existence.fig. 7
• Knoten with oblongem ShieldAlbrecht DürerDürer’s woodcut “Knot with an oblong shield” from the Dürer box – one of the famous knot / interlace ornaments (fig.fig. 8
• Stefanskirche in WienHeumann, Georg Daniel nach Kleiner, SalomonSt Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Georg Daniel Heumann (after Salomon Kleiner) – the great view of the Gothic south tower; the frontispiece plate of the dissertation (fig.fig. 41
• Allegorical Representation - Minerva as Verteidigerin the Arts gegen the FalschheitGerard de Lairesse“Minerva”, Gerard de Lairesse – a classicising Baroque Minerva allegory (etching) from the tenth volume; Lairesse is given a section of his own in the dissertation (fig.fig. 34
• Allegorical Depiction of a Month - FebruarMatham, Theodor nach Sandrart, Joachim von“February”, Theodor Matham – a month-allegory from a series of the twelve months (fig.fig. 32
• Allegorical Depiction of a Month - OktoberPersijn, Reinier van nach Sandrart, Joachim von“October”, Reinier van Persijn – a counterpart from the same series of months as fig.fig. 33
• Philosophieren of a Trinkers over the Innere of the KrugesJan van de II. Velde“A drinker philosophising over the inside of his jug”, Jan van de Velde II – a Dutch genre image with a moralising quatrain (fig.fig. 30
• Anton RoschmannSchauer, Franz nach Firmian, Franz Lactanz vonThe engraved portrait of Anton Roschmann (after Franz Lactanz von Firmian, engraved by Franz Schaeur in Salzburg) opens the dissertation.fig. 1
• Title Page of the graphic Collection -Frame with fruit - GarlandsUnbezeichnetThe engraved title page of the whole collection.fig. 4