Two Allegorical Figures with a Cornucopia
Drawing on circular paper (tondo) • Circle of Hendrick Goltzius or Cornelis van Haarlem; Haarlem School (influenced by Bartholomeus Spranger)
Style & Movement
Northern Mannerism (Haarlem Orbit)
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with wash, heightened with white opaque watercolor (gouache) on prepared paper; cross-hatching and calligraphic line work
Creation Period
c. 1585–1590
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15-20 cm in diameter; circular (tondo) format
Subject Description
Composition featuring two mythological or allegorical figures, possibly Ceres and Pomona or attendant nymphs, supporting a cornucopia. The figures exhibit the 'figura serpentinata' characteristic of Bartholomeus Spranger's influence, with musculature and poses emphasizing dynamic, elongated elegance.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows signs of historical handling, surface oxidation of white highlights, and vertical creasing
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $15,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$6,000 - $10,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of an 18th or 19th-century drawing collection; reminiscent of pieces handled by dealers specializing in Old Master prints and drawings from the Dutch Golden Age
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of the dissemination of the 'Prague Style' into the Dutch Republic. It illustrates the transition from Spranger’s Rudolfine court style to the Haarlem Academy style founded by Goltzius, van Mander, and Cornelis van Haarlem.
Notable Features
Strong emphasis on chiaroscuro through white heightening; sophisticated use of 'swelling lines' mimics contemporary engraving techniques of the Goltzius workshop
Condition Issues
Visible vertical crease or fold down the center; slight edge nicks at the 1 o'clock position; lead white oxidation (turning gray/black in some highlights); minor foxing and surface dirt consistent with age
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning by a paper conservator; stabilization of the central crease; archival mounting and UV-filtering museum glass to prevent further paper degradation
Collector Notes
Northern Mannerist, Haarlem orbit, c. 1585–1590, in the experimental side, showing strong awareness of Sprangerian figural invention through reproductive print culture.