Romeyn de Hooghe, “Plate 20: The Art of Dying Well (Ars moriendi),” 1673–94

Romeyn de Hooghe (also known as Romeijn de Hooge and [pseudonym] Gisling) (1645–1708)
“Plate 20: The Art of Dying Well (Ars moriendi),” 1673–94

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on laid paper, slightly irregularly trimmed around the image borderline and laid upon a backing sheet of archival-quality washi paper, providing support and generous margins.

This is Plate 20 from a series of forty-two plates initially published in Antwerp in 1673, later reissued in 1694 and 1700 by G. Gallet as illustrations to David de la Vigne’s La manierè de se bien préparer à la mort par des considérations sur la Cène, la Passion, et la Mort de Jesus-Christ (How to Prepare Well for Death through Reflections on the Last Supper, the Passion, and the Death of Jesus Christ).

See the description of this publication from the 1700 edition and this print facing page 43: https://archive.org/details/b30408453/page/n87/mode/2up. Please note that there are minor differences in the plates shown in this 1700 edition (such as Plate 20 being unsigned), which may be explained by John Landwehr’s (1970) advice that “they are copies” (see Landwehr, 1970, p. 183).

The impression is richly inked and well-printed—most likely a lifetime impression, evidenced by the quality of the line that shows no sign of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, or abrasions.

Accompanying Text from the Publication:
The flavour of David de la Vigne’s advice about dying is crystallised in the accompanying text for this plate. Regarding the image, he advises (translated):

“This hideous representation [depicted in the framed painting], in which Jesus appeared as a criminal before the High Priest, shows one of the most terrible attacks that the devil gives to those who are on their deathbed. He questions them about their faith, trying to catch them, shake them, and plunge them into an abyss of darkness… [the truly faithful] imitate their Saviour and give the answer Jesus gave to the High Priest, as depicted in the small painting: they have only to say, as he did: ‘I have spoken publicly to everyone, I have made a public profession of the Roman Catholic faith, and in this faith I wish to live and die.’” (p. 43)

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 18.9 x 15.1 cm
• Image: 18.7 x 14.9 cm

Lettering on the Plate:

• Upper left corner: “20”
• Lower left corner: “R. d. H. f.”

References:

• Landwehr 27 (John Landwehr, Romeyn de Hooghe as Book Illustrator, Amsterdam, Vangendt & Co., 1970, p. 79, cat. no. 27)

Price & Shipping:
AU$292 (approximately US$193.99 / €165.07 / £145.10), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this striking Baroque period etching, featuring angels and demons fighting for the soul of a dying woman—where the test of faith and ultimate salvation hinge on her response to the framed image of Jesus before the High Priest—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