Terminus, the Device of Erasmusc. 1532 · Study 1971.166

Context from the museum

In the spirit of the Italian Renaissance, Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466–1536), the celebrated Dutch humanist and scholar, embraced ancient Greek and Roman literature and incorporated much of its moral and ethical messages into his own work. Holbein here conflates Erasmus’s features with Terminus, the Roman god of boundaries, who defied Jupiter by maintaining his position atop Capitoline Hill. Erasmus adopted Terminus, along with the motto concedo nulli (I concede to no one), as a personal symbol for devotion and steadfastness.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Tree ring analysis helped determine the date of this painting.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Terminus, the Device of Erasmus is 21.6 cm wide and 21.6 cm high, equivalent to approximately 8.5 × 8.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.00:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.05 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 7.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 139.2 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Terminus, the Device of Erasmus in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on wood, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this near-square composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 21.6 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?