Ignis (Fire)
after 1587
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate (approx): 17.2 × 21.2 cm (6 3/4 × 8 3/8 in.) sheet (approx): 17.6 × 21.5 cm (6 15/16 × 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund
Accession Number
2017.38.3
Art Historical Context
**Ignis (Fire)** by Adriaen Colla, created after 1587,ly embodies the destructive yet vital force of fire through intricate engraving on laid paper. This Flemish artist's precise technique—using a burin to carve fine lines into a copper plate—allowed for rich tonal contrasts and detailed imagery, making it a prime example of late Renaissance printmaking. Measuring about 17 x 21 cm, the plate's modest scale belies its technical sophistication, typical of Collaert's output from Antwerp's vibrant workshop scene. As part of a probable series on the Four Elements, *Ignis* reflects the era's fascin...