Oleum Olivarum (The Production of Olive Oil), plate 12 in the Nova Reperta (New Inventions of Modern Times)

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Oleum Olivarum ( Production of Olive Oil)** plate 12 from *Nova Reperta (New Inventions of Modern)*, captures the ingenuity of Renaissance industry through the eyes of Flemish artist Jan van Straet, known asadanus (1523–1605). Created around 1590, this engravingclassified among the Smithsonian's collection of figures—depicts the meticulous process of olive oil extraction, from pressing the fruit to collecting the golden liquid. Stradanus, who spent much of his career in Florence under Medici patronage, celebrated technological and artisanal advances in this influential series of prints, engraved primarily by Philip Galle in Antwerp. The artwork's historical significance lies in its snapshot of 16th-century innovation, blending ancient Mediterranean traditions with emerging industrial efficiency. Olive oil, vital for cooking, lighting, and medicine, symbolized prosperity in Europe and the Mediterranean world. Stradanus's dynamic composition of workers and machinery highlights human collaboration with tools, reflecting the era's humanist optimism and economic growth amid global trade. As a master of the Northern Renaissance style, Stradanus infused the scene with precise detail and lively figures, making complex processes accessible and visually engaging. This plate, now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through generous donors, invites visitors to appreciate how art bridged science and daily life in the dawn of modernity.