“Siege of Camolia by Emperor
Charles V and Cosimo Medici” (aka “Belegering van Siena”), c1582, published by
Philips Galle in Antewerp in 1583 from the series of twenty-one engravings
(including the frontispiece), “Mediceae Familiae Rerum Feliciter Gestarum
Victoriae et Triumphi“ (aka “The History of the Medici”),
with privilege by Philip II (king of Spain), after the design by Jan
van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus; Johannes
Stradanus; Jan van der Straeten; Giovanni Statenensis; Giovanni Stradano;
Giovanni della Strada) (1523–1605).
The Rijksmuseum offers the following details about
the publication of the series of plates in which this print features:
(Transl.) “This series with representations about
the family history of the 'de Medici family consists of three series. Some of
the prints were published in 1577. The last four plates are dated 1582. The
title page was added later and is dated 1583”
This print may be viewed in its context
with the other plates as published in 1583 at Archive.org—be certain to click
to the print before this engraving in the series to see Hendrick Goltzius’
engraving to enable comparison of engraving techniques with Galle’s print:
Engraving on laid paper trimmed along
the platemark and backed with a support sheet.
Size: (sheet) 22.1 x 30.4 cm.
Inscribed on plate within image: (upper
left of centre) “CAMOLIA”; (upper right of centre) ”SENA”; (lower left) “I”; (lower
left of centre) “Johan. Strada./ :nus. inventor./ Phls. Galle fecit”.
Lettered on plate below the image
borderline: (left) “Cum privilegio Regis”; (centre in two lines in Latin) “Caroli
V Caesaris, …/ ... et presidio Nudant'.
State i (of ii)
TIB 5601.104:44 (Arno Dolders
[ed.] 1987, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists: Philips Galle”,
vol. 56, Supplement, New York, Abaris Books, p. 388, cat. no. [5601].102:5); New
Hollstein Dutch 492-1 (2) (Manfred Sellink & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.]
2001, “The New Hollstein : Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts
1450–1700: Philips Galle”, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision, p. 255; p. 299 [ill.],
cat. no. 492).
The British Museum offers the
following description of this print:
“Plate numbered 1: the battle of
Camollia and Siena; night scene; the troops of Charles V and Cosimo de' Medici,
seen from behind, laying siege to Camollia and Siena, seen in the background,
to left and right respectively”
See also the description of this
print offered by the Rijksmuseum:
Condition: well-printed early/lifetime
impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed along the
plate mark and laid onto a support sheet of millennium quality washi paper. The
sheet is in an excellent condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds,
losses, abrasions, stains or foxing).
I am selling this fascinating 16th
century engraving of nightime army manoeuvres showing Cosimo de 'Medici’s army
in 1555 heading towards Siena—note the name, ”SENA”, inscribed right-of-centre in
the sky—set against the distant siege of Camolia—the name, “CAMOLIA”, is inscribed
in the sky left-of-centre—for AU$323 (currently US$224.61/EUR198.83/GBP178.01 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 marvellous and very rare engraving, please contact me
(oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make
the payment easy.
