Philips Galle, “Elephant Hunt”, 1578, after Jan van der Straet (2nd copy)

Philips Galle (aka Philippe Galle; Philippus Gallaeus) (1537–1612)

“Elephant Hunt”, 1578 (published 1596), from the series of 43 engravings published by Galle in “Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium” dedicated to Cosimo de Medici, after Jan van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus) (1523–1605). The curator of the British Museum advises that the number of plates was increased to a total of 104 plates when prints by A. Collaert, J. Collaert, C. Galle I and C. de Mallery were added in the second edition (1634) dedicated to the jurist Henricus van Osthoorn en Sonnevelt (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1957-0413-37 and A. Baroni and M. Sellink 2012, “Stradanus 1523-1605: Court artist of the Medici”, exh.cat. Groeningemuseum Brugge 2008–2009, Turnhout, pp.245–58, cat.nos.32–49).

Engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline with loss of the writing edge and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (irregularly trimmed sheet) 20.8 x 30.7cm; (image borderline) 20 x 29.6cm

Inscribed in plate: (on tusk) “Iohan Stra. inuen.”

New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 422 (Johannes Stradanus); New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish); 520 (Philips Galle); Baroni Vannucci 693.5 (Alessandra Baroni Vannucci 1997, “Jan van der Straet, detto Giovanni Stradano, flandrus pictor et inventor”, Milan, Jandi Sapi Editori).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Plate 5, Elephant Hunt; in the foreground, two elephants are surrounded by men on horseback who target the animals with their spears; beyond other huntsmen chase a herd of elephants” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1957-0413-233).

To set this print into a timeline regarding when it was executed:

- Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in his ship, “The Golden Hind”;

- William Harvey discovered how blood circulated our bodies;

- Martin Frobisher sailed to Canada and mined fool's gold used to pave streets in London;

-  Michelangelo finished painting “The Last Judgement” in the Sistine Chapel just 37 years earlier;

- Leonardo’s “La Gioconda” (aka “Mona Lisa”) was—arguably—finished 72 years earlier.

Perhaps more significant than all of the above, this marvellous print was executed during the rise of Baroque Age that was later tempered by the vision of Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). Why I mention Rubens in this timeframe should not be too surprising as the composition of the engraving with its spiralling rhythms and radiating lines created by the lances has the hallmarks of Ruben’s most famous hunting scenes— “Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt” (1615–16); “Wolf and Fox Hunt” (c.1616); “Wild-Boar Hunt” (1618–20); “The Lion Hunt” (1621).

Condition: a well-printed impression (possibly a lifetime impression based on the quality of the line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate) trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline (with loss of the writing edge) and laid upon a sheet of millennium quality washi paper providing wide margins. Beyond appropriate age-toning, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holds, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this exceptionally rare engraving from the late 1500s for a total cost of AU$326 (approximately US$212.65, EUR 182.54 or GBP 158.20), including express mail shipping worldwide. Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this important print from the Baroque Age, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.