Jean-Baptiste de Poilly, “Pethus et Aria”, early 1700s

Jean-Baptiste de Poilly (1669–1728)

“Pethus et Aria” (or “Paetus and Arria”), early 1700s

Contextual Commentary:

This original 18th-century etching with engraving is from a celebrated suite of plates featuring antique classical sculptures, executed and published in Paris by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly.

The engraving depicts a Roman marble sculpture traditionally called “Pethus et Aria”, illustrating the tragic story of the Roman senator Caecina Paetus and his devoted wife, Arria the Elder, from 42 AD. Ordered to commit suicide by Emperor Claudius, Paetus hesitates to plunge the dagger into his chest. To give him courage, Arria famously stabbed herself first, uttering her final words documented by Pliny the Younger: “Paete, non dolet” (Paetus, it does not hurt).

Interestingly, in the 18th century, this ancient statue was widely misidentified as the Roman couple. It is actually the Hellenistic masterpiece known today as the “Ludovisi Gaul” (or “Galatian Suicide”), showing a Celtic warrior taking his own life and that of his wife to avoid capture by Roman forces.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on laid paper with small margins. The lower corners of the margins have been replenished, and the sheet has been professionally laid upon a backing sheet of archival-quality washi paper to provide structural support and a clean false margin for conservation presentation.

The impression is crisp, strong, and evenly inked with no sign of plate wear, retaining the tonal depth characteristic of an lifetime impression. Aside from a closed tear in the upper margin and the neat structural restorations to the lower corners, the sheet remains in excellent antique condition with no holes, structural folds, or significant foxing.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 30.9 x 22.3 cm
• Platemark: 28.0 x 19.6 cm
• Image borderline: 27.0 x 18.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “J.B. Poilly sculp.”
• Centre: “Pethus et Aria.”

References:

• Le Blanc 51 (Charles Le Blanc, “Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant un dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations,” vol. 3, 1888, Paris, Émile Bouillon, p. 223, cat. no. 51 [Diverses statues antiques])
• Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection — https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/alma:99171303803408651

Price & Shipping:

AU$223 (approximately US$155.56 / €138.50 / £116.69), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this graphically striking and historically fascinating engraving—capturing both classical Roman mythology and the golden age of French reproduction printmaking—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Payment is processed securely via PayPal invoice with worldwide tracked tracking provided upon shipping dispatch.

Salomon Gessner, “Hylas and the Nymphs”, 1771

Salomon Gessner (1730–1788)

“Hylas and the Nymphs” (also known as “Hylas ontvoerd door de nimfen” [Hylas abducted by the nymphs]), 1771

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine wove paper, bearing a partial “I. C. & R. IMHOF” watermark. Gessner’s etchings were first published between 1769 and 1771, and this plate is dated 1771. The watermark is associated with the Im-Hof paper mill in Basel and may indicate a later printing; however, it does not by itself establish a precise printing date.

Plate 10 (of 10) from Gessner’s series Idyllic Landscapes with Mythological Figures (Landschappen met mythologische figuren).

The impression is richly inked and evenly printed, with strong tonal contrast and excellent clarity in the dense foliage. The sheet is exceptionally clean and well preserved, with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or foxing.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 41.1 x 24.5 cm
• Platemark: 24.2 x 19.1 cm
• Image borderline: 22.4 x 18.2 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “S. Gessner. 1771.”
• Right: “10.”

References:

• Leemann-Van Elck 32 (Paul Leemann-van Elck, “Salomon Gessner: sein Lebensbild mit beschreibenden Verzeichnissen seiner literarischen und künstlerischen Werke”, 1930, Zurich, Orell Füssli, p. 268, cat. no. 32)
• National Gallery of Art (Washington): Accession Number 1999.100.14 — https://www.nga.gov/artworks/111489-hylas-and-nymphs
• Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam): Object Number RP-P-1941-506 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200196431  

Price & Shipping:

AU$241 (approximately US$167.48 / €148.97 / £125.64), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this superb, beautifully preserved etching depicting Hylas—the young companion of Hercules—being drawn into the depths of a sacred spring by water nymphs, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Payment is handled smoothly and securely via PayPal invoice.

Caspar Merian, “Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662, after Jan Peeters

Caspar Merian (1627–1686)

“Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662

Contextual Commentary:

This is an historically important 17th-century view of the famous and dramatically spectacular fortress and abbey situated on a rocky tidal island in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel off the northwestern coast of France. The composition is designed after an original drawing by Jan Peeters the Elder (also known as Johannes Peters) (1624–c. 1677).

This panoramic coastal view of the island of Mont Saint-Michel is from the original folio page, clean-trimmed away from a separate view of Lisievs (Lisieux)—another prominent historic site in Normandy—which was originally printed directly above it on the same sheet. It was printed by Jacob van Meurs (fl. c. 1651–1680) and published in Amsterdam in the first Dutch-language edition (1662) by the widow of Joost Broersz and Caspar Merian. It served as an illustration to the third volume of the landmark four-volume atlas composed by Caspar Merian and Martin Zeiller (1589–1661): “Topographia Galliae dat is beschrijvinge van Vranckrijck ... Derde deel. T. Amsterdam” (translated: “Topographia Galliae, that is, a description of France ... Third part. Amsterdam”).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline on the top and sides, and with a larger margin on the lower edge. The vertical publication fold has been professionally stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality sheet of Japanese washi paper.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed with strong tonal contrasts. The sheet is in excellent condition for its wide dimensions and considerable age, remaining free of tears, holes, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 14.5 x 31.9 cm
• Inner image borderline: 11.7 x 31 cm

In-Plate lettering:

• Upper centre: “MONT S^T. MICHEL.”
• Lower left: “Peeters del”

References:

• David Rumsey Map Collection: View item record for this specific plate layout and associated volumes via the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection — https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~312539~90081827:V--3--Lisevs--Mont-St--Michel  or access digitized records via the Internet Archive — https://archive.org/details/dr_lisevs-mont-st-michel-iohan-peeters-del-to-accompany-topographia-gall-13088284

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approx. US$169.56 / €150.81 / £127.20, 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.

If you’re interested in this historically significant and detailed 17th-century panoramic view of Mont Saint-Michel—long before its iconic, 19th-century neo-Gothic spire was built—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.