Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Monday, 22 December 2025

Jacob Frey, “Sacra Christi Familia”, c. 1727, after Gérard Edelinck and Raphael

Jacob Frey (also known as Johann Jakob Frey and Giacomo Frei) (1681–1752)
“Sacra Christi Familia” (The Holy Family of Christ) (also known as “La Sainte Famille de Jesus Christ” [The Holy Family of Jesus Christ]), circa 1727 (1702–1752)

Technical Details & Condition:
Engraving on laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image border and writing edge, backed with a support sheet of archive-quality washi paper. This engraving is after another engraving of the same design and orientation by Gérard Edelinck (1640–1707) (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0822-965), which, in turn, is a translation into line of the painting by Raphael (also known as Raffaello Sanzio and Raffaello Santi) (1483–1520) from the collection of the Musée du Louvre (inv. 604).
The impression is strong, with the centre-fold flattened. The sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, or stains.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 42.8 x 30 cm
• Image border: 39 x 29.7 cm

Plate Lettering:
• Lower left within the image border: “Raphael Pinx.”
• Lower right within the image border: “Jacob. Frey Sculp. Romæ.”
• Lower left: “La Sainte famille de Jesus Christ./ D'apres le tableau de Raphael d'urbin hault de 6 pieds 5 p./ et large de 4 pieds 3 p. ‘qui est au Cabinet du Roy”
• Lower right: “Sacra Christi Familia./ Ex tabulâ Raphaelis urbinatis, alta 6. ped. 5. pol. lata 4 ped. 3. pol/ asseruatâ in pinacothecâ Regia”

References:
• Andresen 4
• Le Blanc 15
• See also the British Museum’s description of this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1979-0721-9

Price & Shipping:
AU$308 (approximately US$205.46 / €174.41 / £152.33), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally skilful and sensitively executed portrayal of the Holy Family — depicting the Virgin kneeling as she holds the Christ child, with St Elizabeth assisting the infant Baptist to clasp his hands, an angel holding flowers above the Virgin’s head, and St Joseph observing — please feel free to contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to send a secure PayPal invoice to make your purchase straightforward and secure.