Erasmus of Rotterdam
late 1530s
Hans Holbein, the Younger (German, 1497 or 1498–1543), Blockcutter Veit Rudolph Specklin (German, died in 1550)
Catalogue Raisonné
Passavant 057
Dimensions
Sheet: 30.2 x 18.5 cm (11 7/8 x 7 5/16 in.)
Accession Number
M21338
Medium or Technique
Woodcut
Not On View
Collections
Classifications
The humanist scholar Erasmus is shown resting his hand on the head of Terminus, the ancient god of boundaries and endings. For Erasmus, who took the image of the god as his personal emblem, Terminus served as a reminder of the brevity of human existence and an admonition to lead a better life.
Provenance
PDP Register entry: Date acquired, 1/1/1910 [exact to year]
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wheelwright , by exchange