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Hieronymus
(1533-1619) and his brother Johannes (1549 born) started
with unbelievable accurate copperplates engravings after Dürer. Their
masterpieces in this field: Adam and Eve, and The knight riding with dead and
devil where made circa 1566, unbelievable he was capable to make this quality at
that young age. Johannes (born in 1549) actually signed Aetas 14 or aetas 16 to
indicate he was only 14-16 when he made this work. Hieronymus Wierix is
especially known for his very delicate religious prints on a very small scale.
As he followed Dürer in his early years, here he was probably influenced by the
German small masters like Beham, Aldegrever... a.s.o. Anthonie (1552-1624)
considered as most free
and with most bravoure among the oeuvre of the brothers.
Otherwise then the early German masters, Wierix quality is not yet fully
expressed in the prices for their work. The copy's after Dürer however are very
valuable.
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Large Wierix print showing his genius
The work of Wierix is always from great quality, but these larger pieces are
real 'chef-d'oeuvres'
To be considered as masterpieces by the artist.