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

Thursday, 15 October 2026

Adriaen Collaert, “Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (c. 1560–1618)

“Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun” (also known as “Sol” and “Volwassenheid onder invloed van de zon”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 4 in the series of eight engravings (including the title plate) titled “Septem Planetæ” (aka “The Seven Planets and Seven Ages”; “De zeven planeten en zeven leeftijden”; “Septem planetae, septem hominis”), illustrating the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of mankind. The work is based on a design by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1602) and was published in Antewerp by Gerard de Jode (aka Geeraert/Geerart/Gerardo/Gheerde/Gheraerde/Girard de Jode) (1516/17–1591).

The engraving is a well-printed slightly silvery impression. Aside from holes at the upper edge of the margin (possibly binding holes) and minor staining in the margin at upper right, the sheet is in good condition, free from tears, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.5 x 25.3 cm
• Platemark: 30.3 x 22.3 cm
• Image borderline: 28.7 x 21.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper centre) “SOL”; (lower left) “HONOS”
• Below the image: (centre) “Est HONOR hunc ætas Sectatur quarta Iuuentus / Quartus et his claris SOL quoque clarus adest” (translation: There is Honour, which the fourth age—Youth—pursues; and, accompanying these illustrious figures, the Sun—itself illustrious—is also present.); (right) “4”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1369
• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty) 638
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1862,0712.324 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-324
• The Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1981-67 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175204. The Rijksmuseum describes this print: “In the sky hovers the planet god Sol, the sun. In the foreground are the personifications of Honos, Honor, depicted as a soldier and a virtuous housewife who is spinning. In the background, a knightly tournament. The print has a Latin caption and is part of a seven-part series about the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of man.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$233.56 / €208.31 / £176.39), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in owning this symbolism-rich engraving, it carries a remarkable historical resonance: it was published in 1581, the exact year the Low Countries signed the Act of Abjuration to declare independence from Spain. This masterpiece was born at the chaotic, brilliant turning point that forged the Dutch Republic and sparked the Golden Age of Northern printmaking. Please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice for an easy and secure purchase.

This print has been sold