Jan Luyken, “Construction of Noah's Ark”, 1690

Jan Luyken (aka Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)
“Construction of Noah’s Ark,” 1690

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on laid paper with full margins as published by David and Willem Goeree in Amsterdam in 1700 in “Mosaize Historie der Hebreeuwse Kerke…” (Mosaic History of the Hebrew Church…). The print features the original five folds of publication, now flattened by the sheet having been archival laid on a washi paper backing to provide stability and wider margins. The impression is richly inked and well-printed (near flawless). The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, and significant stains.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 32.8 x 43.4 cm
• Plate mark: 22.5 x 41.5 cm
• Image borderline: 21.5 x 40.7 cm

Plate Lettering:
• Numbered at upper right corner: “1012”
• Numbered throughout the image: from “1” to “45”
• Lettered below the image borderline in a line of Dutch: “de Timmering der Arke onder’t bestuur van de goddelyke Bouwmeester Noach in syn aaleg en werkda[d]ige vootgang vertoond.”
(“The Carpentry of the Ark under the direction of the divine Architect Noah, shown in its design and active progress”)

References:
• Van Eeghen 1128 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 1, p. 192, cat. no. 1128 [see https://archive.org/details/hetwerkvanjanen00kellgoog/page/192/mode/1up]).
Van Eeghen describes the scene depicted: “The ark, almost finished at the back, is only just being started on the other side. In the foreground on the left, under a shelter, Noah discusses the plans with two overseers. With instructions.” (p. 192)
• The Rijksmuseum holds a drawing by Jan Luyken, “Construction of Noah's Ark” (c. 1689), depicting Noah planning the construction: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200142075.
• Also see Jan Sadeler’s vision of the Ark’s construction in his engraving “Noah Building the Ark” (1586), previously showcased here: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2018/10/jan-sadelers-engraving-noah-building.html

Price & Shipping:
AU$298 (approximately US$194.05 / €167.33 / £147.05), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in acquiring this remarkable view of the construction of Noah’s Ark — a design that appears to emphasize creating a boxed-in floating platform without navigational aids like a keel, bow, stern, or rudder — please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Unidentified master engraver of the early 1600s, “Virgin Nursing the Infant Christ with Joseph”, 1620

Unidentified master engraver of the early 1600s

“Virgin Nursing the Infant Christ with Joseph”, 1620 (date inscribed in plate at lower right)

Note that the Latin inscription beneath the image, which translates to “The Virgin Mother embraces the born child as parent,” offers insight into the somewhat unconventional depiction of the infant Christ. The portrayal presents a complex amalgamation: the infant appears both as a vulnerable child and as an adult Saviour. His stretching upward towards the Virgin’s face may symbolise his dual nature—simultaneously innocent and divine—highlighting the profound mystery of his incarnate form.

Technical Details & Condition:
Engraving on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet to provide wide margins and ensure stability. The impression is strong and crisply printed, with minimal signs of wear to the printing plate, suggesting that this is a lifetime impression. Beyond general age-toning and a tear/fracture in the margin at left, the sheet is in good condition with no significant stains or other issues.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 18.6 x 14 cm
• Plate mark: 18.1 x 13.3 cm
• Inner image borderline: 15.5 x 13.2 cm

Plate Lettering:
In the text box below the image, lettered in four lines of Latin and the date:
“VIRGO. NATA PARENS NATVM COMPLEXA PARENTEM / QVI CÆLVM. TERRAS SYDERAQ ALTA REGIT / VIRGINEIS DOMINVM LACTANS FERT MATER IN VLMS. / QVOD NATVRA STVPET. SCVLPTA FIGVRA DOCET. / 1620”

(“The Virgin Mother embraces the born child as parent / Who rules the heaven, the earth, and the starry high / The mother carries the Lord nursing in her virgin arms / Which nature marvels at; the sculpted figure teaches”)

Price & Shipping:
AU$287 (approximately US$185.34 / €160.73 / £141.26), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this early master engraving of the Holy Family — and note how the artist draws in the viewer as an active participant in the scene through Joseph’s gaze — please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase. 

This print has been sold

Stefano della Bella, “Fox Standing in Profile Facing Left”, c. 1641

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)

“Fox Standing in Profile Facing Left,” circa 1641
Plate 20 from the series Diversi Animali (Various Animals), comprising 25 plates including the title plate.

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin around the platemark. The impression is strong and crisply printed.
This is a lifetime impression of state iii (of iii), with the publisher’s address details of Pierre Mariette I (c. 1603–1657) erased from the former state.
The sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 8.7 x 11.4 cm
• Plate mark: 8.4 x 11.1 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Lower left: “20 Stef. della Bella fecit”
• Lower centre: “Cum priuilegio”

References:

• De Vesme/Massar 706 (Alexandre de Vesme, revised by Phyllis Dearborn Massar, 1971, Stefano della Bella: Catalogue Raisonné, New York, Collectors Editions, [text] p. 112, cat. no. 706, [ill.] p. 135).
  De Vesme/Massar describes this print: (transl.) “A fox looking to the left. Towards the background, on the left, another fox seen from behind.” (p. 112)
• The British Museum describes this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-0811-597 [BM inv.no. 1877,0811.597].

Price & Shipping:
AU$266 (approximately US$172 / €149.28 / £131.30), including worldwide express shipping.
Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exquisite etching of a fox in profile, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

François Jollain, “Title Page of “Animalia ad Vivum Delineata’”, 1688, after Antonio Tempesta

François Jollain I (also known as François Iollain) (1641–1704) and/or in collaboration with François Gérard Jollain (circa 1660–1723)

Note: Some sources cite Gérard Jollain I (also known as Gérard Iollain) (fl. 1630s–1683) as the engraver of this plate. However, the dates associated with this artist do not align with the inscription “1688” on the plate.

Title Page of “Animalia ad Vivum Delineata” (Animals Drawn from Life), 1688, after Antonio Tempesta (c. 1555–1630). Published in Paris by Jollain—possibly François Gérard Jollain, as the publisher’s address corresponds with this artist-publisher—in 1688.

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraved on fine laid paper with partial watermark, trimmed with a narrow margin around the platemark. The impression is strong and well-printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 12.7 x 16.5 cm
• Plate mark: 12.4 x 16.2 cm
• Image border: 12.2 x 15.9 cm

Plate Lettering:

On the title banderole:
“ANIMALIA/ ad vivum Delineata et Œr i/ Impressa, Studio et Arte/ Antonii Tempeste/ Livre D'animaux/ Designez et Grauez d’après/ Nature par Ant. Tempeste/ ce vendent A Paris chez Lollain/ Rue St. Jacques à la nfan lessu.”
(Note: the address may refer to the printery at St. Jacques à l’Enfant Jésus, Paris.)
Date inscribed: “1688”.
Please note that there may be minor reading errors in the transcription.

Price & Shipping:

AU$276 (approximately US$178.25 / €154.74 / £136.13), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this seldom-seen title page engraving, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.