Hans Collaert the Younger

Hans Collaert the Younger was a printmaker active during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, with his documented artistic period spanning from 1580 to 1617. His primary medium was the print, focusing on complex mythological and allegorical narratives typical of Northern European production of the era.

Eight of his prints are represented in major institutional collections, establishing his legacy as a significant engraver. Collaert often developed extended narrative cycles, exemplified by his sequence detailing the mythological punishment of infidelity. Key works from this suite include Mars and Venus Adulterous, Mars and Venus Caught by the Gods, Phoebus Telling Vulcan of His Wife's Adultery, and Vulcan Hanging an Iron Net above the Bed. Other works demonstrate his interest in scientific and allegorical concepts, notably the print titled Lapis Polaris, Magnes (The Lodestone, The Magnet).

The surviving examples of Hans Collaert the Younger prints are preserved in museum collections, including the comprehensive holdings of the National Gallery of Art. Today, many of these historical images reside in the public domain, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork accessible for academic study.