Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Sunday, 28 December 2025

Antonio Tempesta, “Roma and Batavia Shaking Hands”, 1611, after Otto van Veen

Antonio Tempesta (circa 1555–1630)
“Roma and Batavia Shaking Hands”, 1611

Technical Details & Condition:

This etching on fine laid paper retains the margins as originally published, with Latin letterpress text verso. It is plate 1, the frontispiece to a series of 36 plates (excluding the title page [TIB 35.560–595]) illustrating “The War of the Romans Against the Batavians” (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas). The work is after a design by the Flemish painter and Rubens's teacher, Otto van Veen (also known as Octavio van Veen, Otho Vaenius, and Otho Venius) (1556–1629). The scene symbolically depicts the alliance between ancient Rome and the Germanic tribes (Batavians). The two figures shaking hands represent personifications of Roma (Rome) and Batavia (the Netherlands/Germanic tribes), positioned between the rivers of their respective worlds, personified as river gods: Tiberis (Tiber), Rhenus (Rhine), and Mosa (Meuse). The composition is further enriched by legendary figures Romulus and Remus, suckled by a she-wolf, reinforcing the allegorical theme of peace and unity between these peoples.

The impression is strong and well-printed, showing no signs of wear to the printing plate. The sheet, aside from areas of slight thinness and minor chips in the margins, is in excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 20.8 x 24 cm
• Plate mark: 16.8 x 21.2 cm
• Image border: 14.7 x 20.7 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the roundel border: “(I) AVORVM SOCIETAS. ROMANORVM ET BAT:”
• Within the image: “ROMA”; “BATAVIA”; “TIBERIS”; “RHENVS”; “MOSA”
• Below the roundel at centre: “Ant. Tempest f. anno 1611”

References:

• TIB 35.560 (Sebastian Buffa [ed.], The Illustrated Bartsch: Italian Masters of the Sixteenth Century: Antonio Tempesta, 1984, vol. 35, New York, Abaris Books, p. 289, cat. no. 35.560)
• TIB 3501.497 (Eckhard Leuschner, The Illustrated Bartsch: Antonio Tempesta, 2007, vol. 35, Part 2 [Commentary], New York, Abaris Books, p. 107, cat. no. [3501] .497)
• Also see the detailed descriptions and images of this print available from the Rijksmuseum (https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200478682) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/401390).

Price & Shipping:

AU$302 (approximately US$203.18 / €172.56 / £150.49), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this significant first plate of the series “The War of the Romans Against the Batavians,” please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print is reserved pending confirmation of its purchase