Adriaen Collaert, “Middle Age Under the Influence of Mars”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (circa 1560–1618)

“Middle Age Under the Influence of Mars” (also known as “Middelbare leeftijd onder invloed van Mars”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 5 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 astrological power of the seven planets over the corresponding seven stages of human life. The work is engraved after a composition by Maerten de Vos (1532–1602) and was published in Antwerp by Gerard de Jode (1516/17–1591).

This representation of Mars as the mythological God of War moves far beyond conventional battle attributes like armour, shields, and weaponry. It introduces a deeper allegorical layer, framing Mars as a personification of the ideal traits of a mature man in his prime: physical strength perfectly balanced by wisdom, foresight, and careful judgment.

The Latin couplet below the image highlights that true strength (fortis) is useless without foresight (providus) and sound judgment (discretio). In the Renaissance view of life cycles, the fifth age (roughly ages 40 to 50) is the pinnacle of human capability, wherein physical power matches intellectual maturity.

The engraving is a crisp impression with a slightly silvery tone. Aside from minor handling marks confined to the outer margins, the sheet remains in excellent condition—clean, structurally sound, and completely free from tears, folds, abrasions, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.4 x 25.3 cm
• Platemark: 30.3 x 22.3 cm
• Image borderline: 28.8 x 22.1 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper edge) “MARS”; (lower right) “DISCRETIO”
• Below the image borderline: (centre) “Fit DISCRETIO prudens quinta ætate virili / Prouidus et fortis MARS quibus usque valet” (Translation: “Prudent discernment develops during the fifth age of manhood, by which a foresightful and courageous Mars prevails everywhere.”); (right of centre) “5”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1370
• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty: Gherard) 639
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1862,0712.325 —  https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-325
• The Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1981-68 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175205.

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$234.46 / €206.56 / £176.72), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this rare, symbol-rich Master Engraving—completed just 17 years after the passing of Michelangelo—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly prepare and send a PayPal invoice for a secure and straightforward transaction.

This print has been sold

Alfred Louis Brunet-Debaines, “Daphnis and Chloe”, 1878, after Louis Français

Alfred Louis Brunet-Debaines (1845–1939)

“Daphnis and Chloe”, 1878

Technical Details & Condition:

An exceptionally fine etching on heavy wove paper with generously wide margins and deckle edges on all sides. This is a scarce proof impression before lettering for publication, signed by the artist in the plate at the lower right corner.

The composition is an exquisite interpretive rendering based on the 1872 painting “Daphnis et Chloé” by Louis Français (also known as François-Louis Français) (1814–1897), currently held in the collection of Musée d'Orsay (inv. no. RF 86); see https://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/oeuvres/daphnis-et-chloe-75082.

The impression is richly inked and crisp, featuring strong tonal contrasts that suggest a very early impression before any wear to the printing plate. Aside from very pale, unobtrusive foxing marks and minor age-toning at the outer edges of the sheet, this print remains in excellent condition—entirely free of tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 46.5 x 55.5 cm
• Platemark: 31.7 x 37.7 cm
• Image borderline: 27.9 x 34.4 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Lower right corner: “A Brunet-Debaines … [Sc?]”

References:

• Jean Laren & Jean Adhémar, Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: BOCQVIN–BYON, 1942, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 3, p. 479 (titled, but not numbered) — (Gallica BnF digital record) https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488545z/f488.item

Price & Shipping:

AU$277 (approximately US$193.83/ €170.50/ £146.34, 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.

To acquire this superb impression of a finely executed and exceptionally rare etching—so rare that it is omitted from most major online museum repositories—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Julian Alden Weir, “Petite Fille”, c.1889–93

Julian Alden Weir (1852–1919) — A central figure of American Impressionism and a founding member of “The Ten.” After studying in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme in 1873, Weir developed a sophisticated graphic sensibility heavily influenced by Édouard Manet and James Abbott McNeill Whistler. His contributions to the late 19th-century American etching revival are celebrated for their delicate, spontaneous linework and intimate tonal qualities.

“Petite Fille” (also known as “The Back Porch” and “Young Girl with Large Hat”), circa 1889–1893

Technical Details & Condition:

Drypoint and etching on pale grey chine collé supported on heavy wove paper with wide margins.

Published in Paris by the art periodical “Gazette des Beaux-Arts” (September 1911 issue), tipped between pages 214 and 215. This choice, state-before-lettering impression was issued exclusively to illustrate Walter Pach’s seminal article, “Peintres-graveurs contemporains — M. J. Alden Weir.”

The impression is strong and clean with minor signs of movement. The sheet remains in near-pristine condition, entirely free of tears, holes, folds, handling marks, foxing or time-staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 27.0 x 17.8 cm
• Platemark: 11.7 x 9.4 cm

References:

• Zimmerman 57 (Agnes Zimmerman, “An essay towards a catalogue raisonné of the etchings, dry-points, and lithographs of Julian Alden Weir”, 1923, New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, p. 24, cat. no. 57) — https://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15324coll10/id/14976
• Pierre Sanchez & Xavier Seydoux, “Les Estampes de la Gazette des Beaux-Arts 1859–1933”, 1998, Luisant, L’Echelle de Jacob, p. 159
• National Gallery of Art: Accession Number 1964.4.16 — https://www.nga.gov/artworks/47199-young-girl-large-hat
• The Cooley Gallery: reference number JVA 6142 — https://cooleygallery.com/collection/prints-slash-drawings/collection_works/40

Price & Shipping:

AU$253 (approximately US$177.81 / €156.08 / £134.22, 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.

To acquire this beautifully sensitive etching capturing the fleeting, inquisitive gaze of a young girl, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.