Raphael Sadeler I’s engraving, “Satyr Lifting Syrinx’s Cover”, c1590

Raphael Sadeler I (1560/61–1628/32)

“Satyr Lifting Syrinx’s Cover” (aka Satyr Lifting Venus' Veil”; “Jupiter and Antiope”), c1590 (1578–1603/28), published by Raphael Sadeler with privilege of Rudolf II of Habsburg (German Emperor).

Engraving on laid paper trimmed with a chipped edge around the platemark and backed by a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 18.1 x 21.1 cm; (plate) 17.9 X 20.8 cm; (image borderline) 16.3 x 20.5 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “Cum grat. et preuil. S.C.M." (privilege of Rudolph II); (right) “Raph. Sad. fe. et exc.”

Lettered on plate below the image borderline with four lines of Latin in two columns: "Hirce petulce fuga ... fugis, ipsa fugo”.

State ii (of iii) with the addition of the privilege but before the addition of the date.

TIB 7101.157 S2 (Isabelle de Ramaix 2001, “The Illustrated Bartsch”, vol. 71, Part 1 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 226, cat. no. [7101].157 S2); Hollstein Dutch 173 (Dieuwke de Hoop Scheffer [comp.] 1980, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Aegidius Sadeler to Raphael Sadeler II: text”, vol. 21, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p. 248, cat. no. 174); Nagler 1835–52, no. 125; Le Blanc, no. 108; Wurzbach, no. 107; Edquist, p. 404, no. 49a.

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Satyr lifting Venus' veil; Venus lying naked on a bed at right, a satyr at left lifting her bed sheet, Cupid standing on the bed and raising his bow towards the satyr in attack”

(https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-403).

See also the descriptions of this print offered by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Rijksmuseum:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/720289;

http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168858.

Condition: well-printed strong impression (cf. the abraded copy held by the BM) in good condition for its considerable age (i.e. there are no significant tears, folds or stains) trimmed with fractured edges around the platemark and backed on laid paper.

I am selling this rare engraving showing Jupiter (without his eagle), disguised as a satyr, lightly lifting the top sheet (or veil) off sleeping Antiope, to the alarm of cupid who raises his bow in protest, for $422 (currently US$305.91/EUR258.58/GBP234.49 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this lifetime impression of a small masterpiece of the period style of Mannerism—note Antiope’s dainty feet and long body, the theatrical gestures and the dramatic lighting—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold