Gad, from The Twelve Sons of Jacob

Art Historical Context

Jacques de Gheyn II's *Gad, from The Twelve Sons of Jacob*c. 1589) is a exquisite engraving capturing one of the biblical patriarchs from Genesis, who founded the tribe of Gad. Produced during the artist's early career in Antwerp, this print belongs to a rare series depicting all twelve sons of Jacob, religious narrative with the refined of Northern Mannerism.yn (1565–1629), a master draftsman and engraver trained in the innovative workshops of the Plantin-Moretus Press, drew inspiration from earlier Italian influences while pioneering a Dutch precision in linework that would influence later artists like Rembrandt. The artwork's historical significance lies in its role as devotional art amid the religious upheavals of the Dutch Revolt. Small-scale engravings like this—printed on luxurious ivory laid paper (16 × 11.3 cm plate)—were affordable yet collectible, allowing burgher homes and scholars to own portable biblical imagery. Gad, symbolized often by a tent or warrior motifs alluding to his tribe's nomadic prowess, exemplifies Gheyn's talent for intricate hatching and cross-hatching, creating depth and texture with a burin on copper plate. This intimate print from the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings collection invites us to appreciate the fusion of faith, craftsmanship, and emerging Dutch printmaking prowess in the late 16th century.

About the Artist

Jacques de Gheyn, II · 1565–1629

Jacques de Gheyn II (1565–1629) was born in Antwerp into an artistic family, receiving his earliest instruction from his father, Jacob de Gheyn I, a skilled glass painter, engraver, and draftsman. In 1585, the young de Gheyn moved to Haarlem, where he spent five formative years studying under Hendrik Goltzius, one of the most celebrated engravers of the Northern Renaissance. This apprenticeship pr...