WIERIX, Hieronymus

Hieronymus (also Jerome) Wierix, Flemish engraver and brother of Jan Wierix. When his father died, Hieronymus was entrusted to Jerome Manacker. He began his training by making accurate copperplates engravings after Dürer, much as his brother had. Hieronymus Wierix is especially known for his very delicate religious prints on a very small scale.

In 1570, Wierix joined Christoph Plantin and became a master engraver in 1573. After Plantin had to pay a fine and rescue Jerome from jail, he became exasperated and terminated his employment. Wierix’s first independent engraving dates back to 1577 and he worked for several other publishers. From 1577 to 1580, he made numerous prints for Willem van Haecht and his nephew Godevaard van Haecht. These prints were mostly allegorical and political in theme, showing sympathy for those rebelling against the Spanish.