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

Friday, 12 December 2025

Theodoor Galle, “St John of Egypt Holding a Crucifix”, c. 1600

Theodoor Galle (also known as Theodor Galle, and Dirck Galle) (1571–1633)
“St John of Egypt Holding a Crucifix” (also known as “Ioannes Aegyptivs, Monachvs” [John the Egyptian Monk]), circa 1600–1612

Saint John of Egypt, also revered as Saint John the Anchorite and Saint John the Hermit, was a renowned desert father and ascetic who dwelled in the Nitrian Desert (Wadi El Natrun), Egypt, near the city of Lycopolis (modern Asyut) during the fourth century AD (circa 305–394). His life and deeds are well documented; for further information, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Egypt.

Technical Details & Condition:

This is an engraved portrait on laid paper, trimmed around the borderline and laid on an archival support sheet that provides stability and generous margins. The impression is strong, clear, and virtually faultless. The sheet exhibits a small chip on the right edge and the upper right corner; aside from these minor imperfections, it is in excellent condition with no holes, folds, or stains.

This engraving is part of the series “Four Hermits”—depicting Hilarion, Abraham, Malchus, and John of Egypt—based on drawings by Theodoor Galle and published in Antwerp by his father, Philips Galle (also known as Philippe Galle; Philippus Gallaeus) (1537–1612).

Dimensions:

Sheet: 13.3 x 10.4 cm
Image Border: 12.9 x 10.3 cm

Plate Lettering:

Within the image border at lower left: “Theodor. Galle inuent. et Sculp.”
Within the image border at lower right: “Phls Galle excu.”
Within the margin at centre: “IOANNES AEGYPTIVS, MONACHVS.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$302 (approximately US$201.29 / €171.42 / £150.34), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare engraving—so rare that it is not held in the collections of the British Museum or the Rijksmuseum—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