The nativity of Christ. Engraving by A. Sadeler II after H. von Aachen and J. Hoefnagel.

  • Aachen, Hans von, 1552-1615.
Date:
[1590?]
Reference:
2917588i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

In the centre, the Holy Family with the infant Christ in the stable. Around is an allegorical border designed by Hoefnagel. Left and right, angels holding olive branches that turn into the letters Alpha and Omega, which then turn into cornucopias that illuminate the globe. The left cornucopia, inscribed "Virtus Dei ad salutem", issues light that illuminates a globe inscribed "Lux vera in tenebris lucens" (a true light shining in the darkness). The right cornucopia, inscribed "Omni credenti", sheds light on a globe inscribed in Greek "Alexikakos eos" (the dawn that averts evil). The left globe emits various symbols of darkness and oppression (an owl, a knife, an ox-skull, a yoke, a bit), while the right globe emits other sinister symbols (a bat, toads, a book of Hermetic philosophy). On both sides the symbols fall down on to shepherds

Publication/Creation

[Munich?] : [A. Sadeler?], [1590?]

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; image and lettering 21 x 26.7 cm

Lettering

Bears number: 2 Top centre, the Hebrew Tetragrammaton and the abbreviation of the name Christos in Greek. Above and below the image are the words "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (above) "Et in terra pax hominibus" (below): Luke 2.14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men). At the foot of the plate, four Latin couplets in two columns, from Venantius Fortunatus, In laudem Sanctae Mariae Virginis et matris Domini I, 93-94: "Rorarunt coeli nubes justumque pluerunt, / Quem salvatorem germine virgo dedit. / Accipis ut nescis: sic reddis, ut integra constes, / Nec violata paris, nec pariendo doles. / Et tamen est genitus Deus et Homo verus et unus, / Spiritus atque caro Christus, utrum genus. / Unde tuum mater generas natum atque parentem, / Hinc prolem inde patrem : hoc Deus illud humus."

References note

Jean-Yves Cordier, 'Le Salus generis humani d'après Hoefnagel, et la typologie biblique. I.', Le blog de Jean-Yves Cordier, 14 mars 2015

Reference

Wellcome Collection 2917588i

Type/Technique

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Where to find it

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