Hendrik Goltzius

"Hendrik Goltzius" is a wood engraving by Leonard Baskin, an American artist born in 1922. Baskin created this work amidst the social and political upheavals of the mid-20th century, grappling with themes of mortality and humanism. The print revives the image of the acclaimed Dutch printmaker, Goltzius, using stark black lines against a plain background to capture the intensity of his subject's gaze and the extravagance of his ruff. Baskin, deeply affected by the Second World War, channeled his anxieties into art that often reflects on human suffering. His choice to depict Goltzius, a master of engraving known for his own dramatic flair, suggests a dialogue across time, a meeting of artistic souls contemplating the human condition. This work serves not just as a portrait but as a meditation on artistic legacy, inviting us to consider the enduring power of art to confront and transcend our deepest fears.