Monogrammist I.D.M.’s engraving, “Suave”, c1600s, after Raphael

Monogrammist I.D.M. (Circle of Joos de Momper [1564–1635]?) (fl.1600s)

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid offers a discussion about this monogrammist: https://www.museothyssen.org/en/collection/artists/master-monogram-idm/view-village-beside-river; see also a related print by the same engraver listed on Abebooks: https://www.abebooks.com/art-prints/Rare-Antique-Master-Print-SUAVE-GENTLENESS-MUSE-Raphael-Monogram-IDM-c-1790/22589607259/bd.

“Suave”, c1600s–pub. c1790(?), after Raphael (aka Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) (1483–1520). My proposal for the date of publication is based on other listings of this print but I have no other insight into where or when it was published beyond being a magnificent impression.

Note that the word “Suave” was an impresa motto of Pope Leo X—see Raphael’s “Portrait of Leo X”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Leo_X_(Raphael)—regarding obedience and referenced the verse of Mathew 11:30: “Jugum enim meum suave est” (For my yoke is good/sweet to bear). An attribute of this allegorical figure is that she wears a yoke shown here above her head. Although I have not found Raphael’s artwork that this image references, I suspect that the figure may serve as a caryatid in a larger composition.

Engraving on laid paper trimmed with a thread margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 14.6 x 10 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (on banderole) “SVAVE”; (lower left) “RAPH”; (lower right) “IDMF[ecit]”.

Condition: a strong and near faultless impression trimmed with a thread margin around the image borderline and laid onto a sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. The sheet is in pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this superb engraving by an almost forgotten master engraver from the 1600s, for a total cost of AU$276 (currently US$2205.65/EUR173.07/GBP148.34 at the time of 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 simply magnificent engraving, 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