Early and late states of a 17th century engraving, “Portrait of Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne”

(?) Jacobus Harrewyn (1660/1–1732/40)

(Note: this attribution is based on the fine quality of the execution and that Harrewyn collaborated with Jan Luyken and Coenraet Decker (amongst other unidentified printmakers) in the engraving of the other plates featured in the four volumes of "Historien onses tyds, behelzende saken van staat en oorlogh ..." where this plate was published. I believe that the style is too refined to be by either Luyken or Coenraet. Any assistance in identifying the artist is appreciated.)

An early unfinished state and the published state of:

“Portrait of Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, vicomte de Turenne (1611–75)”, 1685–99

Published by Jan Bouman (1670–87; fl.) and Jan Claesz. ten Hoorn (fl.1671–fl.1715) in Lieuwe van Aitzema’s (1600–69) and Lambert van den Bos’ (1610–98)' "Historien onses tyds, behelzende saken van staat en oorlogh, voorgevallen in, en omtrent de Vereenigde Nederlanden, en door geheel Europa, mitsgaders in meest alle de andere deelen des werelds. Beginnende met het jaar 1669 daar het de heer Lieuwe van Aitzema heeft gelaten; ..." (Jan Claesz. ten Hoorn & Jan Bouman: Amsterdam, 1685-1699)

The Curator of the British Museum offers the following insights about the publication of this print:

“The publication "Historien onses tyds, behelzende saken van staat en oorlogh, voorgevallen in, en omtrent de Vereenigde Nederlanden, en door geheel Europa, mitsgaders in meest alle de andere deelen des werelds. Beginnende met het jaar 1669 daar het de heer Lieuwe van Aitzema heeft gelaten; ..." was started by Liewe van Aitzema and subsequently completed by Lambert van den Bosch (Latin: Lambertus Sylvius).The first volume was published by Jan Claesz. ten Hoorn and Jan Bouman, the last three volumes were published by Jan Claesz. ten Hoorn only: volume II in 1688, volume III in 1698 and volume IV in 1699. Nine prints in the book are (partly) engraved by Jan Luyken (Van Eeghen-Van der Kellen, nos.787-794), some prints are engraved by Jacobus Harrewyn, Coenraet Decker and some are by unidentified printmakers.” (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3448966&partId=1&searchText=1875,0508.481&page=1)

Engraving(s) on laid paper cut on, or within, the platemark. The unfinished state impression has the collection stamp Lugt L.971 (Frederick Augustus II, King of Saxony)

Size of unfinished state: (sheet) 15.9 x 11.6 cm

Size of published state: (sheet) 19.4 x 15.4 cm

Lettered on tablet with sitter's name and his titles

Condition: superb, crisp lifetime impressions in almost pristine condition (i.e. there are no tears, abrasions, holes or significant stains). The unfinished state has the notable collector’s stamp of the King of Saxony (Frederick Augustus II) (Lugt L.971).

I am selling this exceptionally rare pair of developmental engravings for the total cost of AU$394 (currently US$300.47/EUR276.04/GBP246.64 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world. If you are interested in purchasing these prints, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make your payment easy.

These prints have been sold

Very seldom is one able to see early and late stages in the execution of an engraved portrait. This remarkable and exceptionally rare pair of prints is not only interesting from the standpoint of how early printmakers approached the task of making an engraved portrait—especially the grid of preparatory vertical lines and the way that the hair is rendered—but the subject of the portrait is equally interesting.

According to Wikipedia regarding Henri de Turenne—the subject of the portrait: “Alongside Condé, Henri de Turenne is regarded as the most important French soldier of his time, and in France, as the most important commander, before and in the hierarchy after Napoleon. He was a methodically educated and cautious general, an excellent tactician who also carefully looked after the food and use of his troops.” (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_La_Tour_d%E2%80%99Auvergne,_vicomte_de_Turenne)