Title Page for Franciscus Aguilonius, Historica Theologica et Moralis Terrae Sanctae Elvcidatio

The Title Page for Franciscus Aguilonius, Historica Theologica et Moralis Terrae Sanctae Elvcidatio was created in 1639, with the design attributed to the Netherlandish 17th Century master, Sir Peter Paul Rubens. This work is a premier example of commercial printmaking from the high Baroque period, executed as an engraving on laid paper. Its primary function was to serve as the highly decorative and visually descriptive frontispiece for the theological and historical treatise authored by Franciscus Aguilonius, focusing on the Holy Land.

Although recognized globally for his grand oil paintings, Rubens oversaw a prolific printmaking enterprise, often providing the initial drawings and designs for complex engravings like this one. His designs for title pages and book illustrations were crucial in shaping the visual culture of Netherlandish publishing during the 1601 to 1650 period. The dense, allegorical composition incorporates dynamic figures and architectural elements typical of his style, transforming a functional page into a powerful piece of visual commentary that summarizes the scholarly work it introduces.

This specific impression is classified as a print within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The print underscores the enduring collaboration between master designers and specialized engravers that defined 17th-century graphic arts. Such detailed works, which helped proliferate intellectual and visual ideas throughout Europe, are vital artifacts for studying early modern media distribution. Being an important part of the museum’s public domain collection, the Historica Theologica et Moralis title page remains a key reference point for understanding Rubens's graphic output and the integration of fine art into scholarly publications.