Jonah and the Whale on a Lake with Sailing Vessels 1546
augustinhirschvogel
minneapolisinstituteofart
print, etching
landscape illustration sketch
germany
quirky sketch
pen sketch
etching
sketch book
personal sketchbook
sketchwork
pen-ink sketch
pen work
sketchbook drawing
sketchbook art
Augustin Hirschvogel's "Jonah and the Whale on a Lake with Sailing Vessels" (1546) is a detailed etching depicting a fleet of sailing ships on a lake with a town and a church in the distance. The scene is reminiscent of biblical tales like Jonah and the Whale. This fine example of a 16th-century print by the renowned German artist demonstrates his skillful use of line and detail to create a vivid and picturesque depiction of the maritime life of his time. The work is notable for its meticulous rendering of the ships and their intricate rigging, as well as the architectural elements of the town and church. The print, measuring 5 1/8 x 8 1/2 inches, is now part of the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Comments
This print by the pioneering landscapist Augustin Hirschvogel does triple duty: it depicts a picturesque seaside village, a parade of sailing vessels, and an Old Testament story. The biblical reference is the lone frolicking whale, perhaps inserted to explain the calm waters; when Jonah went overboard, the tempest subsided. In keeping with his early career as a mapmaker, Hirschvogel pinpointed the spot with the label "Jonah."
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