Pieter Nolpe was a successful Dutch engraver operating out of Amsterdam in the seventeenth century. He was part of a trade which had been flourishing across Europe since the sixteenth century and the rise of the printing press.

Printed engravings could be sold commercially and disseminate an artist’s work widely, bringing acclaim.

It seems Nolpe was a talented craftsman, turning his hand towards reproducing works by a number of the prominent artists of the Dutch Golden Age. These included Jan Wildens and Paulus Potter. Not only could he imitate realist, landscape paintings, but he also turned his hand to reproducing allegorical, religious works. He replicated Moeyaert’s 1638 work of the entrance of Maria de Medici into Amsterdam.

The fine detail of his work is a credit to his skill and, whilst lacking the renown of other engravers of his time, it seems his work was re-issued by successful publisher Frederick de Wit - indicating his high quality of production.

A number of his prints are now housed in the British Museum.

1613

Born

1637

Satirical etching published depicting ‘Tulipmania’.

1638

Reproductions of work by Moeyaert printed in Caspar Barlaeus, ‘Medicea Hospes’ to celebrate the entrance of Maria de Medici into Amsterdam.

1642

Reproduction of work by Jan Wildens published to celebrate the entrance of the Queen of England, Henrietta Maria, in Amsterdam.

1653

Died