Crispin van de Passe II, “Reclining Female Nude”, 1643

Crispin van de Passe II (also known as Crispijn de Passe II and Crispijn van Passe II) (1594–1670)

“Reclining Female Nude” (“Liggend vrouwelijk naakt”), 1643

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with a watermark—possibly French, featuring grapes (see W.A. Churchill no. 478)—and wide margins as issued. This engraving is an illustration from the fifth part (female nude studies) of what may be the largest early drawing book published, “La prima [-quinta] parte della luce del dipingere et disegnare …” (The first [to the fifth] part of the light of painting and drawing), also known as “Van't Light der teken en schilder konst” (From the Light of drawing and painting art). It was published in Amsterdam in 1643–44 by Jan Jansz., with Crispin van de Passe II credited as the author.

The impression is strong and flawlessly printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 24.4 x 37 cm
• Platemark: 19.5 x 29.3 cm
• Image borderline: 19.2 x 28.9 cm

Numbered on Plate:

• Lower-left corner: “54”
• Lower edge at centre: (partially obscured) “XII”

References:

• Archive.org offers an online view of this print within its publication context: https://archive.org/details/laprimaquintapar00pass/page/n197/mode/2up
• MFA Boston: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/523562/la-prima-quinta-parte-della-luce-del-dipingere-et-disegna;jsessionid=6B58FEA2F30EAFBE381E2390322110AF
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200240938
• Hollstein Dutch 191 (Jan Verbeek & Ilja M. Veldman [comp.], “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: De Passe [continued]”, 1974, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p.146, cat. no. 191)
• Franken 1374 (Daniel Franken & Simon Laschitzer. “L'Oeuvre Grave des Van de Passe”, 1975, Amsterdam, G. W. Hissink & Co., p. 301, cat. no. 1374)

Price & Shipping:

AU$402 (approximately US$283.3 / €244.17 / £212.62), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you wish to purchase this exceptionally fine (and rare) study of a female nude executed in the early 1640s, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Jost Amman, “To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation”, 1573

Jost Amman (aka Jost Ammon) (1539–1591)

“To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation” (Ein schadtlich Feumer in ein Schlachtordnung zu werffen), 1573

Although this siege scene features the use of the customary solid cannonballs (round shot)—visible in the foreground at centre—what makes this image particularly interesting is the depiction of incendiary fire-balls (Feuerballen) being launched at the fortifications. These projectiles consist of a linen or flax pouch tightly bound with twine, filled with a combustible mixture of sulphur, saltpetre, and melted resin. Once a protruding wick is lit, these flaming balls are hurled in a high arc by heavy mortars seen in the foreground, designed to ignite the city’s interior.

Technical Details & Condition:

Woodcut on laid paper with letterpress text on the verso. The image is trimmed with a narrow margin and backed with a support sheet, providing wider margins. This woodcut is from page 148 of the third part of the German military manual, “Kriegsbuch” (War Book), by Leonhard Fronsperger (aka Leonhardt Fronsberger) (c. 1520–1575). It was printed by Martin Lechler (fl. late 1500s) and published in Frankfurt am Main by Sigmund Feyerabend (also known as Sigismund Feyrabend or Sigmund Feierabend) in 1573.

This is a strong, well-printed impression. The sheet is age-toned but otherwise in good condition, with no tears or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 13.3 x 15 cm
• Image borderline: 12.5 x 14.1 cm

References:

• Andresen 226.85v (Andreas Andresen, “Der deutschen Peintre-Graveur oder die deutschen Maler als Kupferstecher, nach ihrem Leben und ihren Werken, von dem letzten Drittel des 16. Jahrhunderts bis zum Schluss des 18. Jahrhunderts”, vol. 1, 1872–78, Leipzig, p. 365, cat. no. 226.85v)
• New Hollstein (German) (Jost Amman) IV.94.76
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1837-0616-23

Price & Shipping:

AU$237 (approximately US$167.20 / €143.57 / £124.93), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this remarkable German woodcut from the late Renaissance, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Abraham Blooteling, "Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg,” 1685, after Gerard de Lairesse

Abraham Blooteling (also known as Abraham Bloteling, Abraham Blotelingh, and Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c.1731)

"Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg" — Extensor Muscles and Tendons of the Lower Limb, 1685

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper with full margins as issued. This engraving is based on a drawing from the École de Médecine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), and is Plate 81 (Tab. 81) in Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) landmark anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams," first published in 1685 in Amsterdam by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676).

Note: This impression features the 3 cm chain-lines characteristic of the first edition of 1685. The later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht, has 2.5 cm chain-lines. The watermark, reading “BRUN/ EN/ DANGOU,” possibly indicates the Brun family as the paper manufacturer— a prominent name in French papermaking. The last line may refer to its manufacture in d'Angoumois, aligning with the 1688 and 1739 decrees requiring papermakers to include their name and province of origin in the watermark. This three-line watermark helps date this impression to between 1688 and 1739.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with only minor signs of wear to the plate. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53.5 x 36.5 cm
• Platemark: 50 x 30.6 cm

Lettered on Plate:

• Upper-right corner: “T.81.”
• Within the image, key points are lettered from “A” to “Q”. (“A”—knee; “B”—fibula; “C”—portions of tibia; “D”—calf; “E”—tibialis anterior muscle; etc.)

References:

• Throwbridge Gallery offers a detailed description of this print and an insightful account of the history and controversies surrounding its publication: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/shop/medical/william-cowper/william-cowper-t81/
• Archive.org offers an online view of this print and its context within the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n273/mode/2up
• Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bidloo_Ontleding_1690_81.jpg

Price & Shipping:

AU$388 (approximately US$275.76 / €235.97 / £205.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this large and renowned masterwork of anatomical engraving—an exceptional display of craftsmanship and ingenuity in depicting muscles and tendons—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Marcus Gheeraerts I, “The Donkey, Buffalo, Camel, and Mule”, 1617

Marcus Gheeraerts I (also known as Marc Garrard, Marcus Geraerts, and Marcus Gheraerts) (1516/21–c.1590)

“The Donkey, Buffalo, Camel, and Mule” or “De Ezel, Buffel, Kameel, en Muyle”, 1617

Technical Details & Condition:

Book leaf with full margins as issued, printed on laid paper, with letterpress text (recto and verso), featuring an etching numbered "88" on page numbered “88” by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder. This leaf is from a book of 125 animal fables used to illustrate moral philosophy, “Warande der Dieren” (Garden of Animals), published in Amsterdam in its fourth edition in 1617. 

The accompanying text describes a historical event recounted by the Roman historian Livy, detailing a moment when the common citizens of Rome (gemeene Burgers) complained to the Roman Council (Roomschen raet) about being forced into excessive labour at home and in the fields, effectively serving as slaves. 

The etching is a richly inked and well-printed impression. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, stains, or handling marks

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 19.6 x 15.5 cm
• Platemark: 9.6 x 11.2
• Image borderline: 9.3 x 11.1 cm

References:

• Hollstein (Dutch) 1–108 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca.1450–1700: FOUCEEL–GOLE”, vol. VII, 1949, Amsterdam, Menno Hertzberger, p. 100, cat. nos. 1–108 [4^th edition with 125 plates])
• Archive.org offers an online view of this publication from the later 1682 edition: https://archive.org/details/vorstelijckewara00vond/page/n189/mode/2up

Price & Shipping:

AU$214 (approximately US$151.72 / €128.81 / £112.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in acquiring this superbly executed emblem print—depicting four 'beasts of burden' within rugged terrain as an emblematic metaphor for common labourers, used to argue the 17th-century notion that a person’s social “lot in life” was part of a divine or natural order that should not be disturbed—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold