Cornelis Bloemaert (1603–1692)
in collaboration with Theodor Matham (aka Dirk Matham) (1605/06–1676)
(background landscape)
“Leandre and Hero” (aka “Leander Swims across the Hells
Bridge to find Hero”; “Léandre Traverse l'Héllespont à
la Nage pour Aller Trouver Héro”) c. 1655, after the design by Abraham
van Diepenbeeck (aka
Abraham van Diepenbeek; Abraham van Diepenbeke) (1596–1675), plate 35 in the
series of 58 illustrations to Michel de Marolles’
(1600–1681) “Tableaux du Temple des Muses” (aka “Tableaux du temple des
muses tirez du cabinet de feu Mr Favereau, et gravez en tailles-douces par les
meilleurs maistres de son temps pour représenter les vertus et les vices, sur
les plus illustres fables de l'antiquité, avec les descriptions, remarques et
annotations”). This impression is possibly from a later edition.
Marcel
Roethlisberger (1993),
in “Abraham Bloemaert and His Sons,” notes that the publication of this series
was a “complex publishing venture,” and that Pierre Mariette II (1634–1716)
may have been involved (vol. 1, p. 525). The series was certainly published by Nicolas
Langlois (1640–1703) in Paris in 1655, and a later, more ornate edition
featuring decorative frames was published by Bernard Picart (1673–1733)
in Amsterdam in 1733. Interestingly, Cornelis Bloemaert also produced an
engraving of this print in the reverse direction for publication in 1676 (see https://archive.org/details/tableauxdutemple00maro/page/n367/mode/2up).
Roethlisberger (1993) cautions that “there is no indication that Cornelis
[Bloemaert] collaborated in the 1655 edition” (ibid.).
Etching
and engraving on laid paper.
Size:
(sheet) 33.3 x 23.4 cm; (plate) 27.9 x 18.2 cm; (image borderline) 23.2 x 17.9
cm.
Numbered
and lettered on plate below the image borderline: ““LÉANDRE TRAVERSE
L'HÉLLESPONT À LA NAGE POUR ALLER TROUVER HÉRO. … nu son Corps se précipita de
désespoir du haut de la Tour. Mart. Spect. Ep. 15. 25. 35.”
The
British Museum offers the following description of this print from the Nicolas
Langlois edition: “Mythological scene with Leander swimming in a stormy sea in
right foreground, accompanied by Cupid, a tower with a lantern in right
background, the Winds blowing in top left; after Abraham van Diepenbeeck; from
an album containing sixty engravings trimmed and pasted on sheets; illustration
on page 275 from Marolles' "Temple des Muses" [Paris,
Nicolas Langlois: 1655]. c. 1635–1638/ Etching and engraving” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1983-1001-12-34).
Condition:
a strong and well-printed impression. Beyond a few minor dots in the margin, the
sheet is in a very good condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or
significant stains.
Price
& Shipping: AU$236
(approx. US$153.32 / €131.78 / £114.50), including worldwide express shipping. Please
note: Import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.
If
you are interested in purchasing this visually engaging etching showing the
naked young man from Greek mythology, Leander, swimming to his beloved, Hero,
who guides him with a light held from a distant tower, 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