Pieter Stevens van Gunst, “Plate 3: Study of the Female Nude”, 1685, after Gerard de Lairesse

Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–circa 1731)

“Plate 3: Study of the Female Nude”, 1685

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper with full margins as issued. The watermark on this sheet is a variant of the prestigious Strasburg Lily (or “Crowned Lily”) in a crowned shield, closely matching the form catalogued in W. A. Churchill’s “Watermarks in Paper”, no. 418 (p. CCCXIII). While Churchill's reference specimen includes a full “VAN EGMONT” countermark on the corresponding half of the sheet, this individual folio leaf isolates the central Lily design. It bears the initials "ID" to the left of the shield, indicating production within the prominent Anglo-Dutch trading network of fine French handmade paper, associated with the Jean Villedary workshops.

The presence of this specific, crisp watermark, combined with the wide 3 cm chain-line intervals, serves as a diagnostic guarantee of an authentic, first-edition impression from the 1685 Amsterdam publication. (Note: The later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum in Utrecht, features 2.5 cm chain-lines.)

This engraving is based on a drawing from the École de Médecine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), and is Plate 3 of one hundred and three in Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) landmark anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams” (Anatomy of the Human Body / Dissection of the Human Body), first published in 1685 in Amsterdam by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) with Hendrick Boom and Dirk Boom heirs.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with only minor signs of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in excellent condition for its large size and age, with only minor handling marks and a small 1 cm tear along the lower edge. It remains free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 54.2 x 37 cm
• Platemark: 45.9 x 30.5 cm
• Image borderline: 45.1 x 29 cm

In-Plate lettering:

• Upper-right corner: “T.81.”
• Within the figure: Key points labelled from “A” to “M”

References:

• Archive.org offers an online view of this print within its original publication context: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n25/mode/2up
• Throwbridge Gallery provides an insightful account of the history and controversies surrounding the publication in which this print features: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/shop/medical/william-cowper/william-cowper-t81/
• Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-OB-70.620 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200398336

Price & Shipping:

AU$408 (approximately US$291.97 / €250.34 / £214.21, subject to daily exchange rates). Price includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you’re interested in acquiring this distinguished masterwork of anatomical engraving—noting the highly refined use of the “dot and lozenge” technique for rendering tonal transitions—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.