Wolfgang Kilian, “Triumphal Arch for Emperor Ferdinand III”, 1652

Wolfgang Kilian (1581–1662)
“Triumphal Arch for Emperor Ferdinand III” (also known as “Vera delineatio portae triumphalis...” [True depiction of the triumphal arch] [see https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb45953798z]), 1652

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on fine laid paper with small margins, backed on a support sheet. The depicted arch was a temporary structure erected to celebrate peace in Germany following the Thirty Years’ War (the Peace of Westphalia), marking the entry of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III (1608–1657) into Regensburg (Ratisbonne) for the opening of the Imperial Diet (Comitia) on December 12, 1652. This impression was printed and published with royal privilege of Ferdinand III by Georg Christoph Eimmart (also known as Georg Christoph Eimart the Younger) (1638–1705) in 1653.

The impression is particularly strong—undoubtedly a lifetime impression judging by the quality of line. Aside from minor restored fractures on the outer edges, the sheet remains in good condition with no significant tears or stains.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 60 x 42.5 cm
• Platemark: 57.3 x 41.8 cm
• Inner image borderline: 50.6 x 41.4 cm

Plate Lettering:
• Upper centre: “VERA DELINEATIO PORTÆ TRIVMPHALIS QVAM INVICTISSI/ mo Rom. Imperatori FE[R]DINANDO III, cum parta pace in GERMANIA sua CÆS. MAJESTAS primum verbem. Ratisp: ad COMITIA ingrederetur,/ laudatiss: Senatus ibidem, in signum submissæ gratulationis, et summæ devotionis, erigi curavit, Anno 1652. d. 12. Decemb.”
• Centre (on arch finial): “FIRMAMENTA REGNORVM/ QVIBVS.”
• Below border at lower left: “Woffgang Kilian Sculpsit.”
• Below border at lower centre: “Andv Theil der Ehren Porten welche der Röm: Kay: May: Unserm aller/ gnädigsten Herren Herren Ferdinand dem Dritten [et]c. Zu allen underthänigsten ehren, vnd glückwünschung, als Sei/ne Kay: May: nach geschlossenem allgemeinem teutschen frieden, zu dem in Regenspurg angesteltem Ersten Reichstag Ihren/ Kayserl: Einzug gehalten, Von Einem Löblichen Rath daselbsten, auffgerichtet worden. Geschehen Anno 1652. den 12. Decemb./ Verfertigt, vnd in Druck gebracht auch Allerhöchst gedachter Kan: May: in tieffester demuth dedicirt von Georg Christoph Eimmardt/ Mahler vnd Conterfetter in der Kays: Freyen Reichs Statt Regenspurg.”
(Translation: “And part of the honourary gate which the Roman Emperor May, to our most gracious lord Ferdinand III, etc., in all humble honour and congratulations, as His Imperial Majesty, after the conclusion of the general German peace, made His Imperial entry to the First Diet convened in Regensburg, was erected by a laudable council there. Done in the year 1652, on the 12th of December. Prepared and printed, and also dedicated in deepest humility by the aforementioned Emperor May by Georg Christoph Eimmardt, painter and portraitist in the Imperial Free City of Regensburg.”)
• Below border at lower right: “Cum grafia & Privil: S. Cæsareæ Maiest :”

References:
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://collections.lacma.org/node/248470 (Note: The MET describes the arch as being for Ferdinand II in Regensburg, which may be an oversight.)
• Hollstein.XVIII.133.104
• Nagler.VII.12.2
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kupferstich_-_Triumphbogen_f%C3%BCr_Kaiser_Ferdinand_anl%C3%A4sslich_seines_Einzugs_in_Regensburg_1652.jpg

Price & Shipping:
AU$398 (approximately US$268.68 / €229.32 / £199.96), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this rare and significant etching—remarkably absent from 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 

Wolfgang Kilian’s engraving, “Melancholy”, c1608

Wolfgang Kilian (1581–1662)

Note that Wolfgang Kilian often used his full name on his prints, but also used the initials, “W.G.K.”, as can be seen in this print; see, for example, the inscription in Kilian’s “The Ascension of Christ”, 1600–1662 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/775605).

“Melancholy” (aka “Melancholie”; “Haec tormenta frahit”; “Misfortune Overtakes), 1603–1608, published as plate 11 in the series of 15 plates (including the title plate) to “Nimbus Calamitatum Humani Generis Lapsi” (A Cloud of Calamities of the Fallen Human Race”, possibly after the design by Nicolas de Hoey (aka. Dhoey) (fl.1590–1611) and published by Jacob von Sandrart (1630-1708) (see the images of all the plates and descriptions offered by the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum Braunschweig: https://nat.museum-digital.de/objects?persinst_id=137103).

Engraving with etching on laid paper, trimmed around the image borderline on top and sides and text lines below the image, backed with a support sheet.

Size: (support sheet) 28.3 x 33.4 cm; (sheet) 25.2 x 30.3 cm; (image borderline) 22.7 x 30.3 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower left corner) “W.G.K.”; (lower centre) “XI.”

Lettered below the image borderline in three columns of Latin and German text: {note that there may be errors in my reading of the text) “Hæc tormenta frahit longo fecum aginine Bilis/ Atra, Melancholicis tatara dira Viris,/ Aspidibus macerat se Desperatio: curis/ Tristitia et luctus conficit exanimes.// …// …űberfekt.”

Hollstein XVIII.760–774 (771)

See also the description of this print by the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum Braunschweig: https://nat.museum-digital.de/object/856913

Condition: a strong early impression trimmed around the image borderline, but retaining the text lines. Beyond a flattened centrefold (with minor break), the sheet is in a very good condition for its age with no significant stains, or foxing and has been laid onto a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this amazing engraving full of symbolism relating to melancholy—note that the Latin text in the left column refers to the symptoms of Melancholy as “tristitia” (sadness) and “luctus” (anguish) and proposes that (transl.) “Despair wears itself with Vipers”—for AU$277 (currently US$198.99/EUR186.14/GBP158.81 at the time of posting this print) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this seldom seen engraving on the art market and one which perfectly exemplifies the period style of Mannerism—note the elongation of the figures, the theatrical lighting and dramatic gestures—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold 

Wolfgang Kilian’s engraving, “Portrait of Maria Anna of Spain”, 1639, after Lucas Kilian

Wolfgang Kilian (1581–1662)

“Portrait of Maria Anna of Spain” (1606–1646)—Holy Roman Empress consort; German Queen consort; Queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia; Archduchess consort of Austria (1637–1646), 1639, after a drawing from direct study of Maria Anna (ad vivum delineavit) by Lucas Kilian (1579–1637).

Note that Diego Velázquez (aka Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez) (1599–1660) also executed a portrait of Maria Anna (c1630) from a very similar angle of view; see https://royal.myorigins.org/p/Maria_Anna_of_Spain_Holy_Roman_Empress_consort/.  

Engraving on laid paper trimmed along the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 22.7 x 16 cm.

Lettered in plate within the image borderline: (lower cartouche) “SERENISSIMA ET AVGVSTISSIMA DOMINA/ DOMINA MARIA, ROM IMPERATRIX. GERM. HVNG./ ET BOHEMIÆ REGINA. INFANS HISPANIARVM./ Eiusdem Augustissimæ Mariestati, humillimè ac deuote se suagq[ue] studia/ comendans L. m. dedicat Wolfg. Kilianus, Sculptor.”

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) Lucas Kilian Ad uiuum [vivum] delineauit [delineavit],”; (right) “Wolfgang Kilian Sculpsit. Anno 1639.”

State i (of i), a lifetime impression based on the crisp quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate.

Hollstein 375 (Wolfgang Kilian); Hollstein 783 (after Lucas Kilian); Drugulin 13043; Hirth 1887

Condition: an exceptionally fine (near faultless) richly inked impression, trimmed along the image borderline and laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper. The sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing.

I am selling this magnificent engraved bust-length portrait of Maria Anna of Spain shown in an oval frame with two putti each holding a crown and a larger crown over her head—possibly the three crowns signify her roles as queen of Hungary and Bohemia and (from 1637) as the Holy Roman Empress (but I may be wrong)—for a total cost of AU$322 (currently US$226.64/EUR203.27/GBP169.31 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkably rich engraved impression—undoubtedly a lifetime impression as the linework shows no signs of wear to the printing plate—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold