(After) Matthias Scheits’ etching, “Temptation of Christ in the Desert”, c.1670

Unidentified engraver after Matthias Scheits (aka Mathias Scheitz; Matthias Scheutz) (c.1625/30–1700)

“Temptation of Christ in the Desert”, c.1754, after Matthias Scheits’ etching, c.1670, published in the “Lüneburg Bible” (aka “Sternsche Bible”), printed by Johann and Heinrich Stern in Lüneburg in 1672 (see https://www.winsener-anzeiger.de/lokales/604289-museum-lueneburg-rueckt-die-von-sternsche-druckerei-ins-zentrum/). This impression featuring English text above the image with French and Dutch text below is from Josua and Reinier Ottens’ edition, “Tableaux du Vieux & Nouveau Testament”, published in Amsterdam in 1754 (see https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Tableaux_du_Vieux_Nouveau_Testament.html?id=eH5jAAAAcAAJ&redir_esc=y).

Etching on laid paper with small margins.

Size: (sheet) 25.7 x 18.6 cm; (plate) 22.8 x 18 cm; (inner image borderline) 20.9 x 17.3 cm.

Lettered in plate: (above the image borderline) “The Temptation of Christ in the Desert. Luke. IV.1–12.”; (below the image borderline) “Luc.IV. Jesus Christ tenté par le diable dans le desert. N. T. 24./ 1–12. Jesus ven den duivel in de Woestyne versocht.”

Condition: a strong and near flawless impression with small margins on the sides and top in a near pristine condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing.

I am selling this very beautiful etching showing Christ in the wilderness being approached by the devil holding a stone and challenging Christ that if he truly is the Son of God then he should be able to command the stone to become bread (Luke 4:1-12), for AU$218 in total (currently US$142.31/EUR131.19/GB112.36 at the time of posting 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 interesting illustration exemplifying the classicist-academic manner of representation for biblical scenes in a vertical format clearly favoured by Protestant Germany at the time (as foreseen by the initial publishers, Johann and Heinrich Stern, whose “Lüneburg Bible” was to become a household fixture), 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

(Designer) Matthias Scheits’ engraving, “The Seven Angels Pouring Out Their Vials”, 1672

(Designer) Matthias Scheits (aka Mathias Scheitz; Matthias Scheutz) (c1625/30–1700)

Unidentified engraver to the printing workshop of Von Stern'sche Druckerei (1580–). Note that there were fourteen engravers working for this workshop and the quality of this particular engraving suggests the possibility of the hand of Melchior Küsel (1674/7–1738) who engraved many of the Old Testament scenes but not those of the New Testament.

“The Seven Angels Pouring Out Their Vials”, 1672, from the series of 153 engravings printed in Lüneburg by Von Stern'sche Druckerei from the intermediary design by Matthias Scheits, published in 1672 by Johann Stern (1582–1656) and Heinrich Stern (1592–1665) in the “Scheitssche Bibel” (aka “Sceits Bible").

Engraving (and etching?) on laid paper trimmed with a small margin around the platemark on the top and sides and along the platemark on the lower edge, backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 23.9 x 19.6 cm; (image borderline) 23 x 17.9 cm.

Lettered in plate: (upper edge) “The Seven Angels Pouring Out Their Vials. Revel. XVI. 1.21.”; (lower edge) “Apocal. Les Sept Anges versent leurs Phioles. […] N.T. 66./XVI. 1 – 21. De zeven Engelen gieten hunne fioolen uit.”

Condition: a strong early impression showing minimal wear to the printing plate, trimmed around the platemark with a small margin on the top and sides and laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper. Beyond restoration of the lower left corner, the sheet is in a good condition with no foxing or significant stains.

I am selling this this fascinating engraving showing the beast of the apocalypse expelling the plagues while angels pour the plagues from the heavens, for AU$222 (currently US$162.62/EUR138.05/GBP119.22 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 beautifully executed engraving, 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