Jan Collaert I’s engraving, “Elisha Reviving the Son of the Shunammite Woman,” c1579

Jan Collaert I (aka Hans Collaert) (c1525/30–1580)

“Elisha Reviving the Son of the Shunammite Woman,” c1579 (published 1643), plate 6 from the series of 6 plates (Hollstein 122–127 [de Vos]), “The Story of Elisha,” after the design by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1603), initially published by Volcxken Diericx (Volcxken Dierickx; Volcxken Diericx) (fl.1570–1600) and later (as inscribed on this impression) by Claes Jansz. Visscher (aka Nicolaes Jansz.Visscher; Piscator) (1587–1652) in 1643 (possibly in “Thesaurus Sacrarum Historiarum Veteris Testament”).

Engraving on laid paper with small margins backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 23.8 x 31.3 cm; (plate) 20.8 x 28.9 cm; (image borderline) 19.1x 28.5 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “M.de vos. Inue.”; (right of centre) “CVisscher [ligature of initials monogram] excud.”; (below table leg at right) “HC. F”.

Numbered and lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “6”; (centre in two columns of Latin in two lines) “Protinus ingressus tunc est Sunamitidos edes,/ Membraq[ue] sopite videt vt sine lumine vite// Extincti pueri, componens arubus artus,/ Restituit viue puerum vt numinis, aure.”; (right) 2.Regum  cap.4 ver 34./ 6”.

State iv (of iv)

Hollstein 127 (Christiaan Schuckman [comp.] 1996, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Maarten de Vos,” vol. 44, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision Rijksprentenkabinet, p. 37, cat. no. 127); New Hollstein (The Collaert Dynasty) 64–4(4) (Ann Diels & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2005–2006, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Collaert Dynasty,” vol. 8, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, p. 76, cat. no. 64); Riggs 196 (Timothy A. Riggs 1977, “Hieronymus Cock: Printmaker and Publisher,” New York, Garland Publishing).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print:

(Transl.) “When Elisha has arrived, Gechazi closes the door to the room on the right. The parents of the dead boy remain outside the room. On the left, Elisha prays with raised arms to God. In the centre, he stretches out over the [dead] boy with his mouth on his mouth and his palms on the boy's palms. This is how Elisa brings the boy to life. Below the scene a reference in Latin to the Bible text in 2 Kgs. 4:34.”

(http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.616145).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum and the Museum of Fine Art (Boston):

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-90;

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/171058.

For those unfamiliar with the biblical event portrayed in this engraving, the following link offers an explanation: https://www.gotquestions.org/Elisha-Shunammite-woman.html.

Condition: well-printed strong impression with small margins laid onto a sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. There are closed tears in the margins and an ink inscription by an old hand at lower right in the margin (recto), otherwise the sheet is in a good condition for its age with no folds, losses, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this event-filled engraving exemplifying the Flemish Mannerist leaning towards lively rhythms, theatrical gestures and spatial ambiguity for AU$289 (currently US$206.89/EUR175.06/GBP158.13 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) 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 superb engraving of fascinating complexity, 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