Jan Swart
Jan Swart was an artist specializing in the graphic arts, active during the early decades of the 16th century, spanning the period 1500 to 1530. His output known in major international collections centers predominantly on drawing and printmaking.
Museum databases document 15 works attributed to Swart, demonstrating his versatility in preparing detailed compositions for reproduction. The record includes 9 documented Jan Swart prints, 5 drawings, and 1 item categorized as “other.” Swart primarily addressed major religious narratives, evidenced by works such as Moses Delivering God's Commandments to the Israelites, St. Nicholas and the Three Daughters of the Poor Gentleman, and the complex scene Aanbidding der drie koningen. His work also included focused studies of religious figures, such as Evangelist Lucas, and detailed observational drawings, notably Kleine schets van de kop van een hond (of koe?).
The lasting significance of the artist is confirmed by the representation of his work in major institutions globally. His holdings are preserved by the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Art. Due to the early date of execution, many of his original works, including high-quality prints, are now considered to be in the public domain, allowing his historical contributions to be studied as downloadable artwork.
