Raphael Sadeler I

Raphael Sadeler I was a prolific printmaker active during the late sixteenth century, with documented work spanning the years 1560 to 1589. His output focused exclusively on engravings, which are today recognized as museum-quality examples of late Renaissance graphic arts.

The subjects addressed in Sadeler I’s work range widely, covering allegorical, historical, and religious themes, alongside specific portraiture. Key works represented in collections include the religious narrative Saint Luke Painting the Virgin, the historical subject The Death of Cleopatra, and the portrait Ludovicus Septalius, Patricius Mediolanensis. His allegorical interests are demonstrated by prints such as Dolor (Sorrow) and Timiditas from Four Vices. Database records confirm that fifteen Raphael Sadeler I prints are held across institutional collections.

The graphic works of Sadeler I are preserved in several major institutions, confirming their lasting historical and artistic value. These collections include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Art. The sustained presence of his engravings in these institutions ensures that high-quality prints derived from his work are often made available to the public within the public domain.