A detailed 1592 engraving by Dominicus Custos, featuring the portrait of Hieronymus Scotius within an oval frame and accompanied by a symbolic cartouche.

This engraving by Dominicus Custos, dated 1592, depicts Hieronymus Scotius, a figure of the late sixteenth century. Custos, a Flemish printmaker who spent much of his career in Augsburg, was a master of the burin. His work here demonstrates the technical precision characteristic of Northern Mannerist portraiture. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a common convention for formal portraiture of the period, which allows for a focus on the sitter's features and attire.

Scotius is shown wearing a large, elaborate ruff, which was a standard element of aristocratic fashion during this era. The texture of the lace, the fabric of his doublet, and the individual strands of his hair are rendered with fine, controlled lines. Below the portrait, an oval cartouche contains a hand grasping a serpent, accompanied by the Latin motto 'VTCVMQVE'. This emblem adds a layer of symbolic meaning to the composition, typical of the period's interest in heraldry and personal devices.

Custos utilised a variety of hatching techniques to create depth and volume. The background within the oval is filled with dense, cross-hatched lines, which contrast with the lighter tones of the face and the ruff. This creates a clear separation between the subject and the surrounding space. The lettering around the border provides the identity of the sitter and the nature of the work, adhering to the formal requirements of sixteenth-century print production. This print is a clear example of the high level of craftsmanship found in the workshops of Augsburg at the end of the sixteenth century, where printmakers like Custos were instrumental in disseminating the likenesses of notable individuals across Europe.