Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “Saint Justina,” c1585, after Maarten de Vos

Jan Sadeler I (aka Johannes Sadeler; Johann Sadeler) (1550–1600)

“Saint Justina” (TIB title) (aka “Heilige Justina”), c1585, the twelfth engraving in the series of sixteen prints of female saints and the title plate, “Speculum Pudicitiae” (Mirror of Modesty) (aka “Spiegel van eerbaarheid” [Mirror of Honour]), after a lost drawing by Maarten de Vos (aka Marten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1603), published by Jan Sadeler I in Antwerp.

Engraving on laid paper trimmed with a thread margin around the image borderline on the top and sides and retaining the lines of text below the borderline.

Size: (sheet) 18.1 x 12.5 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline: (lower centre) “M. de vos figura. Sadler excud.”

Lettered in two lines of text below the image borderline: “Igne Euangely IVSTINA …/ … nominee fructus.”

Lifetime impression (based on the quality of the line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

TIB 7001. 324 (Isabelle de Ramaix 2001, “The Illustrated Bartsch”, vol. 70, Part 2 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 135, cat. no. [7001].324); Hollstein 353 (Dieuwke de Hoop Scheffer [comp.] 1980, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Aegidius Sadeler to Raphael Sadeler II: text”, vol. 21, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p. 142, cat. no. 353); Hollstein 958 (Christiaan Schuckman [ed.] 1996, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Maarten de Vos: text”, vol. 44, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision Rijksprentenkabinet, p. 203, cat. no. 958); Edquist, p. 158, no. 98b.

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print:

(Transl.) “Saint Justina, sitting. She is reading a book. A sword is in the foreground. In the background, her beheading”

(http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168529).  

Condition: well-printed impression trimmed with a thread margin around the image borderline on the top and sides and retaining the lines of text below the borderline. The sheet is in excellent condition for its considerable age (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing—but the lower right corner is slightly rounded).

I am selling this strong impression of a sensitively executed and very beautiful engraving by one of the most famous of the Flemish old masters, for AU$370 (currently US$262.91/EUR225.99/GBP205.50 at the time of posting this print) 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 small masterwork of engraving, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.