Currently not on view

Demogorgon in the Cave of Eternity,

c.1588–90

Hendrick Goltzius, 1558–1617; born Mülbracht, Netherlands; died Haarlem, Netherlands
x1982-5
The complex symbolism of this series of seven oval prints can be interpreted as illustrating the fundamental harmony between humans and nature. The three regions of the world—sky, water, and earth, represented by six gods and goddesses—correlate with the spirit, the soul, and the body of man. The central figure of the Demogorgon, the father of all the deities, is based on a passage from the fourth-century Roman poet Claudian’s De consulate Stilichonis. In it an old man residing in a cave determines the number and nature of the stars and writes down laws governing the fate of all living things.

Derived from the Italian terms for light and dark, chiaroscuro relies on contrasts, created in woodcuts by printing blocks inked in different tones over a black line block. The technique originated in sixteenth-century Germany, was picked up in Italy, and then spread to the Netherlands, as evidenced in Hubert Goltzius’s book displayed on the opposite wall. Goltzius made several editions of this series, varying the ink colors each time. He began with the gray tones, then made a tan and green combination, and finally an ochre and brown edition.

Information

Title
Demogorgon in the Cave of Eternity
Dates

c.1588–90

Medium
Chiaroscuro woodcut; line block and two tone blocks
Dimensions
block (sheet trimmed to block): 35.4 × 26.7 cm (13 15/16 × 10 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of David H. McAlpin, Class of 1920
Object Number
x1982-5
Place Made

Europe, Netherlands

Inscription
Initialed in block on cloud, lower right corner: HG.f
Marks/Labels/Seals
Collector's blindstamp, verso lower left: Unidentified, possibly Comte di Bogiani (Lugt 2810)
Reference Numbers
Bartsch 43.238; Hollstein 374; New Hollstein 294b; Strauss 418
Culture
Materials
Techniques