Raphael
Sadeler I (1560/61–1628/32)
“Saint Possidonius” (aka “Heilige Possidius als
kluizenaar”), 1600, plate 6 from the series, “Oraculum Anachoreticum” (aka “Hermits”,
“Mannelijke kluizenaars en heremieten”; “Sylvae Sacrae Monumenta”) after a
drawing by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos)
(1532–1603) in the Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin (inv. 79B17, pl.
11) with privilege from Rudolf II van Habsburg and Clemens VIII, published by
Raphael Sadeler I in Venice.
Regarding Saint
Possidonius, Isabelle de Ramaix (2006) offers the following information:
“A desciple of St.
Augustine at Hippo, St. Possidius became bishop of Calama in Numidia (Algeria)
in 397. He is revered in Mirandola (where, it is said, he died) and Reggio (di
Calabria)” (p. 184).
Engraving on laid paper
trimmed along/or slightly within the platemark.
Size: (sheet) 16.6 x 20.5
cm; (image borderline) 15.4 x 20.3 cm.
Inscribed on plate within
the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “Cum priui. Sum. Pontificis,
et S. Caes, Matis.”; (right of centre) “M. de vos figur. Raph. Sadeler scalp.
et excud”.
Lettered and numbered on
plate below the image borderline: (left) “Linquere desertas, celebratas …/ …
suaserat arcta fames.”; (centre) “6”; (right) “Ecce tibi coelestis eques, …/ …
poma reperta capit.”
State ii (of ii) with the
addition of the plate number (“6”).
TIB 7101.129 (2) (Isabelle
de Ramaix 2006, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Raphael Sadeler I”, vol. 71, Part I
[Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 184, cat. no. 7101,129 S2); Hollstein
Dutch (Voss) 1056 (Dieuwke de Hoop Scheffer [ed.] 1995, “The New Hollstein:
Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Maarten de Vos:
plates, part II”, vol. 46, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision Rijksprentenkabinet, p.
84 (afb.), cat. no. 1056).
The British Museum offers
the following description of this print:
“St Possidonius hastening
away from a Knight on horseback with a lance towards a cave with a basket of
fruit inside in a wood with palms; plate 6; after Maarten de Vos”
See also the description
offered by the Rijksmuseum:
Condition: well-printed
early impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed with a
thread margin around the image borderline. The sheet is lightly darkened with
age otherwise the print is in marvellous/museum quality condition (i.e. there
are no tears, holes, folds, losses, abrasions, stains or foxing).
I am selling this exceptionally
fine (and rare) engraving showing the early Christian hermit, Saint Possidonius
of Calama, retreating in haste to his cave—note the well-filled basket of fruit
in the darkness—after seeing a mounted knight in full armour, for AU$330
(currently US$229.12/EUR202.06/GBP180.85 at the time of posting this listing)
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 exquisite engraving revealing not only the artist’s skill in
rendering the smallest details but also how he enhances the form of his
portrayed subject by use of background tone—note for example how the background
on the shadow side of the middle palm tree is left white while the background on
the lit side of the tree is rendered in darkened detail—please contact me
(oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make
the payment easy.
This print has been sold
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