Johann Sadeler I

Johann Sadeler I was a printmaker active during the mid-sixteenth century, with his documented career spanning the years 1550 through 1576. The surviving record of his work held in museum collections consists exclusively of prints, with fifteen examples represented in institutional holdings.

His engraved output covers a range of subjects, including sacred, classical, and allegorical themes. Notable biblical works include Christ in Emmaus and the creation scene The Sixth Day: The Creation of Animals, Adam and Eve, which was part of the series "The Creation of the World." Sadeler I also executed secular subjects drawn from classical tradition, such as Phyllis and Aristotle. His exploration of instructional allegory is further demonstrated through works such as Arithmetica, derived from his wider series, "The Seven Liberal Arts."

The significance of Johann Sadeler I's practice is confirmed by the preservation of his images in leading institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many historical works of this period are available in the public domain, and Sadeler I's engravings are often documented and reproduced as high-quality prints. The meticulous detail required in producing these sixteenth-century images makes them valuable subjects for museum-quality study and display.