Goltzius & the Pelican Company

Goltzius and the Pelican Company offers an intriguing glimpse into the life and artistry of Hendrik Goltzius, a renowned Dutch printer and engraver during the late 16th century. As a contemporary of Rembrandt, Goltzius' fame outshines his more illustrious peer in this historical tale. The film portrays his cunning negotiation with the Margrave of Alsace to obtain a printing press and produce a series of lavishly illustrated books. In return for the generous financial backing, Goltzius promises a book that reimagines biblical stories from the Old Testament in an erotic light, featuring tales of Lot and his daughters, David and Bathsheba, Samson and Delilah, and John the Baptist and Salome. To further entice the Margrave, Goltzius and his Pelican Company devise captivating performances based on these provocative narratives to be showcased at the royal court. This cinematic exploration of artistry, ambition, and audacity in the Elizabethan era is both engaging and thought-provoking.