Pietro Savorelli, “Zorobabel”, c. 1805, after Michelangelo

Pietro Savorelli (c. 1765–1805)

“Zorobabel”, c. 1805

(Zerubbabel was a prophet and governor of the Persian Province of Judah, credited with laying the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerubbabel)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on heavy wove paper with full margins, featuring the blind-stamp of the Calcografia Camerale press on the edge of the plate mark at lower right.

This work is the second plate in a series of eight engravings reproducing Michelangelo’s fresco-painted lunettes in the Sistine Chapel ceiling. For a detailed description of this print, see the British Museum’s collection: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1873-1213-270.

The impression is richly inked and well-printed. The large sheet is in near faultless condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 54.5 x 72 cm
• Platemark: 39.3 x 52.5 cm
• Image borderline: 34.2 x 48.4 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Above border: (centre) “II”
• Within border:
    • (left) “MICHAEL ANGELVS / BONAROTIUS / PINXIT”
    • (centre) “ZOROBABEL”
    • (right) “IN SIXTINO / VATICANO / SACELLO”
• Below border:
    • (centre) “PIO SEPTIMO PONT. OPT. MAX. / Roma Presso la Calcografia Camerale”
    • (right) “Petrus Savorelli del. et sculp. Romae”

 Price & Shipping:

AU$283 (approximately US$193.89 / €168.95 / £146.85), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this large, museum-quality engraving, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will be happy to provide a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.

This print has been sold

Nicolas de Launay, “La Bonne Mère”, 1779, after Fragonard

Nicolas de Launay (1739–1792)

“La Bonne Mère” (The Good Mother), 1779

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on wove paper, hand-coloured with watercolour—possibly from the time of printing.

This work belongs to a series depicting domestic scenes that celebrate maternal virtues, family happiness, and the importance of motherhood—an especially popular theme in late 18th-century French art. The engraving is based on a painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) and features an inscription dedicated to François-Marie Ménage de Pressigny (c. 1733–1794), a wealthy French financier and tax farmer-general who owned the original painting. The inscription also identifies Fragonard as “Peintre du Roi” (Painter to the King) and Nicolas de Launay as “Graveur du Roi” (Engraver to the King).

Interestingly, Fragonard’s original painting was not titled “La Bonne Mère.” This name was created specifically for the print, and due to its popularity, it eventually became associated with the original artwork as well. At the time, this print enjoyed significant commercial success and remains one of the most well-known prints linked to Fragonard.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with wide margins as issued. The delicate hand-colouring remains unfaded despite the age of the print. Aside from a few minor bumps and subtle age-toning, the sheet is in excellent condition.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 66.6 x 51.2 cm
• Platemark (soft): 58.8 x 44.1 cm
• Image borderline: 57.1 x 42.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Lower border: “Fragonard Pinxit 1779. De Launay Sculpsit.”
• Lower left: “Peint par Fragonard”
• Lower centre (title): “LA BONNE M[È]RE.”, flanked by a central coat of arms
• Lower centre (dedication): “Gravée d’après le […] Tableau de Fragonard / Par […] De Launay.”
• Lower centre (address): “à Paris chez De Launay […] Graveur du Roy, rue et porte S^t. Jacques N^o. 112. cm
• Lower right: “par N. De Launay”

References:

• IFF 196.II; Portalis 34
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/369389   
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0812-5596

Price & Shipping:

AU$343 (approximately US$234.97 / €204.40 / £177.55), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this large and renowned Rococo print—a quintessential vision of family happiness capturing a mother washing her daughter’s face in a park—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to provide a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.

Cornelis Visscher II, “Shepherdess on a Donkey,” c. 1655, after Nicolaes Berchem

Cornelis Visscher II (1628/9–1658)

“Shepherdess on a Donkey,” c. 1655 (1650–1660)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving and etching on buff laid paper with a partial watermark, trimmed close to the platemark. 

This print is based on a design by Nicolaes Berchem (also known as Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem) (1620–1683). A related drawing by Berchem is housed in Leiden. It is the second plate in the series “Rolling Landscapes” or “Landscapes after Nicolaes Berchem.” This impression is from the second of two states, distinguished by the addition of the plate number. 

The impression is strong and well-printed, with no signs of wear to the printing plate. There is an ink notation by an old hand on the reverse (verso) of the sheet. Overall, the sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 27.1 x 21.5 cm
• Platemark: 26.8 x 21.3 cm
• Image borderline: 26.2 x 20.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper-left corner: “Berghem Delinea / C. Visscher f.”
• Lower-right corner: “2”

References:

• Hollstein 69 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: Cornelis de Visscher, Cornelis Visscher, Hendrick Jansz Visscher, Lambert Visscher,” vol. XL, 1992, Roosendaal, Koninklijke van Poll, p. 176, cat. no. 69)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200270354  
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_F-2-23  

Price & Shipping:

AU$266 (approximately US$182.83 / €158.84 / £137.87), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this peaceful pastoral scene from the Dutch Golden Age—note how the raking (possibly morning) light is used to render the contours of the figures with remarkable three-dimensionality, set against a broader treatment of tones in the background—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send a PayPal invoice for a smooth, secure transaction.

This print has been sold