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

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Crispin van de Passe II, “Reclining Female Nude”, 1643

Crispin van de Passe II (also known as Crispijn de Passe II and Crispijn van Passe II) (1594–1670)

“Reclining Female Nude” (“Liggend vrouwelijk naakt”), 1643

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with a watermark—possibly French, featuring grapes (see W.A. Churchill no. 478)—and wide margins as issued. This engraving is an illustration from the fifth part (female nude studies) of what may be the largest early drawing book published, “La prima [-quinta] parte della luce del dipingere et disegnare …” (The first [to the fifth] part of the light of painting and drawing), also known as “Van't Light der teken en schilder konst” (From the Light of drawing and painting art). It was published in Amsterdam in 1643–44 by Jan Jansz., with Crispin van de Passe II credited as the author.

The impression is strong and flawlessly printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

Sheet: 24.4 x 37 cm
Platemark: 19.5 x 29.3 cm
Image borderline: 19.2 x 28.9 cm

Numbered on Plate:

Lower-left corner: “54”
Lower edge at centre: (partially obscured) “XII”

References:

Archive.org offers an online view of this print within its publication context: https://archive.org/details/laprimaquintapar00pass/page/n197/mode/2up
MFA Boston: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/523562/la-prima-quinta-parte-della-luce-del-dipingere-et-disegna;jsessionid=6B58FEA2F30EAFBE381E2390322110AF
Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200240938
Hollstein Dutch 191 (Jan Verbeek & Ilja M. Veldman [comp.], “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: De Passe [continued]”, 1974, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p.146, cat. no. 191)
Franken 1374 (Daniel Franken & Simon Laschitzer. “L'Oeuvre Grave des Van de Passe”, 1975, Amsterdam, G. W. Hissink & Co., p. 301, cat. no. 1374)

Price & Shipping:

AU$402 (approximately US$283.3 / €244.17 / £212.62), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you wish to purchase this exceptionally fine (and rare) study of a female nude executed in the early 1640s, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print is reserved pending confirmation of its purchase