Antique Drawing-GRAMMAR-TEACHER-STUDENTS-DONATUS-Cort after Floris-c.1575

This drawing shows a view on Grammar who sits as an older teacher in the middle of her students. There are students of different ages in the class. Behind it, the youngest children learn to write. On the left front, an older child is reading a book. Grammar helps another student who is standing next to her with a book. In her lap is an index stick. On the floor are books by famous writers in the field of grammar such as Donatus and Diomedes (these titels can be seen on the original print, but not on this drawing). So there are differences between the drawing and the print. ‘Grammatica’ is the part of the Seven Liberal Arts which are intricate depictions of female figures personifying each discipline, conveying the Renaissance ideals of education and intellectual pursuit.

Made by an anonymous engraver after Cornelis Cort after Frans Floris.

Medium: pen and ink drawing on handlaid paper.

Sheet size: 20 x 28 cm (7.87 x 11.02 inch). Image size: 20 x 28 cm. (7.87 x 11.02 inch).

Condition: good, given age. Slightly brownish on reverse. Papertape on reverse. Thin paper spot in lower left corner. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

GRAMMAR-TEACHER-STUDENTS-DONATUS-DIOMEDES-SEVEN LIBERAL ARTS | RBOS-A11-16

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This source print was published in the end of the 16th century. The latin text underneath the drawing came from a well experienced humanistic scribe which was common in the end of the 16th century. The writing is in a rare neat scribe. The paper of the drawing dates also from the same period. The drawing was made after the print. Otherwise the print was done in mirror image. There also excists the same image on glass. It resides in the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam. The painting nor the glas image have text in it. The original painting dates from 1565. The date of the copper engraving is unknown. The text written in pencil on the reverse is considerably younger, perhaps even 18th-century. A German person reminds us of a story about Maarten van Heemskerck (1498-1574) and his legacy.

Reference: New Hollstein Dutch 197-3(3) for the print. .

Provenance: Collection stamps on reverse M-J.

Biography artist: Cornelis Cort (1533-1578), was an etcher and engraver from Antwerp, Belgium. Frans Floris ( 1519-1570) Floris the Elder or Frans Floris de Vriendt was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, print artist and tapestry designer. He is mainly known for his history paintings, allegorical scenes and portraits.