DISCOVERART

Jan Saenredam

The Painter

1616
Engraving on paper
24.5 × 18.5 cm (9.6 × 7.3 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Jan Saenredam frequently engraved the designs of other artists, especially Hendrick Goltzius and Abraham Bloemaert. The Painter offers an allegory of artistic inspiration based on the story that Saint Luke (the patron saint of painters) depicted the Virgin Mary from a vision. Dirk Vellert’s version of this scene epitomizes that iconography. Here, Mary becomes a nude Venus accompanied by a mirror-wielding Cupid, but the tone of the image remains reverential to the art form. Even the saint’s glasses, frequently used in this period to denote fools, lack any satirical sting.

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More by Jan Saenredam

The Annunciation to the ShepherdsThe Annunciation to the ShepherdsPortrait of Hans von AachenPortrait of Hans von AachenVenus and CupidVenus and CupidYoung Couples Celebrating and DancingYoung Couples Celebrating and DancingCharity, from Three Cardinal VirtuesCharity, from Three Cardinal VirtuesVanitasVanitasPluto and Proserpina, from Three Paired Gods and GoddessesPluto and Proserpina, from Three Paired Gods and GoddessesBacchus, from Three Pagan Gods and GoddessesBacchus, from Three Pagan Gods and Goddesses

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