Anonymous Engraver

German school after Jacob Matham after Hendrick Goltzius.

Allegory of Hope Spes. Die Hoffnung dein, zu Gott lass sein

A standing female figure with a falcon on her hand and an anchor at her feet. The (tamed) falcon was a Christian symbol pursuing hope with courage. The anchor is a heraldic symbol for hope.

Engraving on hand laid paper 8.5 x 5.6 in (21.5 x 14.1 cm)

Only state

Ref: Copy after New Hollstein 322

Jacob Matham (1571 - 1631), of Haarlem, was a famous engraver and pen-draftsman. He was the stepson and pupil of painter and draftsman Hendrik Goltzius, and brother-in-law to engraver Simon van Poelenburgh, having married his sister, Marijtgen. He made several engravings after the paintings of Peter Paul Rubens from 1611-1615.

Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617). Goltzius was a Dutch printmaker, draftsman and painter. He was the leading painter of Northern Mannerism. Goltzius had a malformed right hand from a fire when he was a baby which turned out to be especially well-suited to holding the burin. Some 388 prints are credited to him by Hollstein. His prints proved to be very influential and famous.