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

Friday, 9 January 2026

Adriaen Collaert, “Old Age Under the Influence of Jupiter”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (circa 1560–1618)

“Old Age Under the Influence of Jupiter” (also known as “Jupiter” and “Ouderdom onder invloed van Jupiter”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 6 in the series of eight engravings (including the title plate) titled “Septem Planetæ” (aka “The Seven Planets and Seven Ages”; “De zeven planeten en zeven leeftijden”; “Septem planetae, septem hominis”), illustrating the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of mankind. The work is based on a design by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1603) and was published in Amsterdam by Gerard de Jode (aka Geeraert/Geerart/Gerardo/Gheerde/Gheraerde/Girard de Jode) (1516/17–1591).

The engraving is a well-printed slightly silvery impression. Aside from holes at the upper edge of the margin, the sheet is in excellent condition, free from no tears, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.4 x 25.3 cm

• Platemark: 30.3 x 20.9 cm

• Image borderline: 28.8 x 20.7 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper edge) “Jvpiter”; (left edge) “Memoria”

• Below the image borderline: (centre) “Vis REMINISCENDI Sexta est senili/ IVPITER hanc sextus rite planeta fouet” (translation: “The power of REMEMBERING is the sixth of the characteristics of old age / JUPITER, the sixth planet, properly fosters this”); (right of centre) “6”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1371

• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty: Gherard) 640

• The British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-326

• The Rijksmuseum describes this print: “In the sky floats the planetary god Jupiter, seated on an eagle. In the foreground is the personification of Memoria, or memory. She wears a jug-shaped headdress and holds a distilling instrument. Next to her stands Old Age, depicted as a judge. In the background are examples of justice and punishment. The print has a Latin caption and is part of a seven-part series about the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of humanity.” (https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175206)

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$224.76 / €193.12 / £167.68), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in owning this symbolism-rich engraving, completed just 17 years after Michelangelo’s final works, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice for an easy and secure purchase.

This print has been sold