Tak met een vaandel met daarop een engel met banier

About this artwork

height 243 mm x width 174 mm

Art Historical Context

**Tak met een vaandel daarop een engel met banier** is a delicate etching by Dutch artist Auguste Numans (1833–1879), intricate details within modest dimensions of 243 mm by 174 mm wide. Created during the mid-19 century, this print showcases Numans' skill in etching—a printmaking technique where acid bites into a metal plate to create fine lines, allowing for remarkable precision and texture. The title, translating to "Branch with banner bearing an angel with a banner suggests a symbolic or heraldic motif, evoking Dutch traditions of emblematic imagery often seen in architecture, flags, or decorative arts. Numans, active in the Romantic era, specialized in detailed etchings of landscapes, townscapes, and genre scenes, reflecting the Netherlands' rich visual heritage amid rapid industrialization. Etchings like this were prized for their affordability and reproducibility, bringing artistic finesse to wider audiences beyond oil paintings. This work highlights the era's fascination with intricate symbolism—angels and banners symbolizing faith, victory, or lineage—rendered with the etching's characteristic luminosity and depth. Visitors will appreciate how Numans transforms a simple branch into a narrative emblem, inviting reflection on 19th-century Dutch identity and craftsmanship. A gem for print enthusiasts! (198 words)

About the Artist

Auguste Numans · 1822–1901

Auguste Numans (1822–1901) was a Belgian painter, draftsman, and printmaker whose career spanned the full breadth of Belgium's cultural golden age in the 19th century. Born on April 22, 1823, in Brussels (though some historical records suggest Antwerp), and dying on October 16, 1901, in Brussels, Numans worked during a period when Belgian art achieved international recognition through figures like...