Bernard Picart, “Hell”, 1730, after Abraham van Diepenbeeck

Workshop of Bernard Picart (1673–1733)

“Hell” (also known as “Les Enfers”), 1730

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving, printed from two plates on laid paper, with full margins as issued. Plate LV (55) to the series of sixty plates, “Le Temple des Muses”, published in 1733 in the first French edition by Zacharias Chatelain (active 1705–1733) in Amsterdam.

Archive.org offers an online view of this print in its context in the publication, facing page 138: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125012263162/page/n257/mode/2up.

The Curator of the British Museum notes: “Each illustration comes with an ornate border. There are at least 14 types of border, each printed once from the same plate as the illustration they first frame, then re-used as a passe-partout for the other illustrations” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1878-0914-53).

The composition of the central scene is based on an original design by Abraham van Diepenbeeck (1596–1675) and follows a reverse composition executed collaboratively by Cornelis Bloemaert (1603–1692) and Theodor Matham (1605/6–1676), with Matham completing the background. (See previous listing: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2016/11/cornelis-bloemaerts-engraving-les.html.) 

The outer frame plate is inscribed at the lower left: “B. Picart del. 1730”, indicating Bernard Picart designed and drew the decorative border. His role for the inner scene is recorded as “B. Picart direx”, showing he directed the workshop’s re-engraving of the older composition.

The impression is strong, exhibiting minimal signs of wear to the printing plate—indicative of an early impression. Aside from minor surface marks, the sheet is in excellent condition—free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 46.1 x 27.8 cm
• Platemark: 35.4 x 25.4 cm
• Inner image borderline: 23.5 x 18.1 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Below the central image: (left) “B. Picart direx”; (centre) “LES ENFERS. / HELL. // Die hell. / De Helle.”
• Below the outer frame: (left) “B. Picart del. 1730.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$302 (approximately US$209.68 / €183.28 / £157.06), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this simply fabulous etching (with engraving), depicting a view of Hell, printed from two plates, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.