Narcissus
1851 to 1875
Medium
etching with engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 40.8 x 28.2 cm (16 1/16 x 11 1/8 in.) (cut to platemark)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
2010.87.4
Art Historical Context
Behold the captivating print *Narcissus* by Aegidius Sadeler, a Flemish master engraver of the late Renaissance. Created as an etching with engraving on laid paper, this 19th-century impression (dated 1851–1875) measures 40.8 × 28.2 cm and captures the platemark. The work depicts the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus the youth entranced by his own reflection a pool, symbolizing themes of vanity, self-love, and tragic beauty that have inspired artists for centuries. Sadeler II, part of a renowned family of printmakers, excelled in reproductive techniques, translating paintings into intricate pri...
About the Artist
Aegidius Sadeler II · 1568–1629
Netherlandish, Antwerp 1568–1629 Prague