Tobias Stimmer, “Joseph Interpreting the Pharaoh's Dreams”, 1574

Tobias Stimmer (1539–1584)

“Joseph Interpreting the Pharaoh's Dreams”, 1574, published in 1578 by Theodosius Rihel (aka Theodosius Rihelius) (fl.1557–1621) in Strasbourg, as a woodcut illustration to page 22 of Conrad Lautenbach’s (1534–1595) “Flauij Josephi, des Hochberühmten Jüdischen Geschichtschreibers, Historien vnd Bücher …” ([transl.] “Flavius Josephus, the very famous Jewish historian, histories and books …”) (see https://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/en/view/bsb10139702?page=64,65).

Woodcut with German letterpress text on verso on fine laid paper trimmed around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet/image borderline) 10.8 x 14.7 cm.

Bibliographic references provided by the British Museum: Harms 1985 continuing / Deutsche Illustrierte Flugblätter des 16 und 17 Jahrhunderts (413); Andresen 1864-78 / Der Deutsche Peintre-Graveur ... von dem letzten Drittel des 16 Jahrhunderts bis zum Schluss des 18 Jahrhunderts (III.150.155 [17]); Stimmer 1984 / Tobias Stimmer 1539-1584: Spätrenaissance am Oberrhein (58).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Joseph interpreting the pharaoh's dreams; the pharaoh enthroned at centre; Joseph standing at right; with two onlookers at left; others in right background …” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1927-0430-4).

Regarding the attribution of this and the other woodcuts in “Flauij Josephi, des Hochberühmten Jüdischen Geschichtschreibers, Historien vnd Bücher …”, the Curator of the British Museum advises: “Andresen doubts the attribution to Stimmer, but the illustrations are included as Stimmer works in the 1984 Basel catalogue” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1927-0430-40). Note, that the British Museum in its description of this print does not use the term “attributed” in assigning the print to Stimmer; however, “The Illustrated Bartsch” catalogue of Tobias Stimmer’s prints (vol. 19, Part 2) does not catalogue this print with the works of Stimmer.

Condition: a very strong and early impression showing minimal signs of wear to the printing block. The print is trimmed around the image borderline and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. There is a replenished loss on the lower edge and the upper right corner, otherwise, the sheet has no significant stains.

I am selling this magnificent impression (mindful that there are restorations) of a beautifully executed woodcut, for AU$248 in total (currently US$163.14/EUR150.52/GBP129.14 at the time of posting this listing) including 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 exquisite woodcut, 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