Partridge and Eagle
c. 1600
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 13.2 x 18.8 cm (5 3/16 x 7 3/8 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of The Circle of the National Gallery of Art
Accession Number
1993.32.1.r
Art Historical Context
Adriaen Collaert's *Partridge and Eagle*, created around 1600, exemplifies the exquisite finesse of Flemish engraving during the late Renaissance. Collaert, a master printmaker from Antwerp, was renowned for his intricate depictions of animals and nature, often drawing from direct observation to capture feathers, textures, and lifelike poses. This small-scale work (plate: 13.2 x 18.8 cm) on laid paper—a period-appropriate support with visible chain lines—showcases his skill in translating three-dimensional forms into precise lines on a copper plate, allowing for multiple impressions that made ...