COLLAERT Adriaen

(Antwerp ca. 1560 – 1618)

Adriaen Collaert was an engraver born in Antwerp and belonging to a family of Flemish engravers.
There are few biographical information about this author, though many works are known. Son of Hans (or Jan) Collaert I, married to Justa, daughter of the well-known engraver and printer of Antwerp Philips Galle, he became a skilled and assiduous collaborator of his father-in-law.

In 1580 he became part of the Guild of San Luca. In 1596 and in 1597 he was assistant dean and dean. Adriaen Collaert made about 600 engravings, including a series inspired by his own animal designs and also the series of Four Elements and Flowers. All of these series are characterized by a realistic representation of nature. Collaert’s compositions often include decorative borders made up of flowers, animals and grotesque that emphasize his importance as an ornamental draftsman.

He was the author of many reproductions derived mainly from subjects by Stradano, Goltzius, Martin de Vos and Pieter de Jode. After acquiring the techniques of engraving he moved to Italy where he stayed for a few years to expand his artistic models.

After his return to Antwerp, he and his father-in-law made the most important and remarkable amount of prints that Galle’s workshop has produced and probably Adriaen succeeded him in managing the company after his death.