New Inventions of Modern Times [Nova Reperta], Title Plate

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, where you'll find *New Inventions of Modern [Nova Reperta], Title Plate*, an exquisite engraving from around 1600. Designed by Flemish artist Jan van der Straet (called Stradanus) andfully engraved by Jan Collaert and Philips Galle, this plate introduces a celebrated series showcasing Renaissance-era innovations. Measuring 10 5/8 x 7 7/8 inches, it captures the era's spirit of discovery through symbolic vignettes featuring printing presses, cannons, maps, and women—likely allegorical figures representing progress and ingenuity. Engravings like this were revolutionary in the late 16th century, allowing detailed images to be mass-produced and shared across Europe. Stradanus, a key figure in Antwerp's artistic scene, specialized in such inventive themes, while Galle and Collaert's precise burin work brought his visions to life with intricate linework and dynamic compositions. The *Nova Reperta* series celebrated "modern" marvels amid the Scientific Revolution and Age of Exploration, blending artistry with propaganda for human achievement. This piece, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1934, reminds us how printmaking democratized knowledge, fueling the Enlightenment. Pause here to marvel at how a single plate encapsulates the thrill of invention!

About the Artist

Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus|Jan Collaert I|Philips Galle · 1523–1605

Jan van der Straet, known as Stradanus or Giovanni Stradano, was born in Bruges in 1523 into an artistic family. He received his earliest training in his father Jan van der Straet's painting workshop until the latter's death in 1535, followed by an apprenticeship with Bruges master Maximiliaen Francken from 1535 to 1537. Stradanus then moved to Antwerp, studying under Pieter Aertsen from 1537 to 1...