Master of the Housebook
German Northern Renaissance Painter, 15th Century, German graphic artist. The master is named for a series of vigorous and sophisticated drawings of everyday life found in the Hausbuch at Castle Wolfegg. Many of his engravings are in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. His work is thought to have influenced Bosch, Bruegel, and Durer.
ID: 62493 Aristotle and Phyllis 1485 Dry point, diameter 155 mm Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam The Master of the Housebook is also known as the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet. Here we see the philosopher Aristotle crawling about with the lovely Phyllis on his back, watched by two other men. Aristotle, who was allegedly indifferent to female beauty, nevertheless let himself be enticed and, worse still, humiliated by a woman. The artist used various kinds of shading to achieve an extremely vivid rendering of this scene, which is based on a popular thirteenth-century tale. This print is among his most outstanding work. Author: MASTER of the Housebook Title: Aristotle and Phyllis , 1451-1500 , German Form: graphics , mythological