Marcus Gheeraerts I (also known as Marc Garrard,
Marcus Geraerts, and Marcus Gheraerts) (1516/21–c.1590)
“The
Donkey, Buffalo, Camel, and Mule”
or “De Ezel, Buffel, Kameel, en Muyle”, 1617
Technical
Details & Condition:
Book
leaf with full margins as issued, printed on laid paper, with letterpress text
(recto and verso), featuring an etching numbered "88" on page numbered “88” by Marcus
Gheeraerts the Elder. This leaf is from a book of 125 animal
fables used to illustrate moral philosophy, “Warande der Dieren” (Garden of
Animals), published in Amsterdam in its fourth edition in 1617.
The
accompanying text describes a historical event recounted by the Roman historian
Livy, detailing a moment when the common citizens of Rome (gemeene Burgers)
complained to the Roman Council (Roomschen raet) about being forced into
excessive labour at home and in the fields, effectively serving as slaves.
The
etching is a richly inked and well-printed impression. The sheet is in
excellent condition, free of tears, holes, stains, or handling marks
Dimensions:
- Sheet: 19.6 x 15.5 cm
- Platemark: 9.6 x 11.2
- Image borderline: 9.3 x 11.1 cm
References:
- Hollstein (Dutch) 1–108 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca.1450–1700: FOUCEEL–GOLE”, vol. VII, 1949, Amsterdam, Menno Hertzberger, p. 100, cat. nos. 1–108 [4th edition with 125 plates])
- Archive.org offers an online view of this publication from the later 1682 edition: https://archive.org/details/vorstelijckewara00vond/page/n189/mode/2up
Price
& Shipping:
AU$214
(approximately
US$151.72 / €128.81 / £112.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please
note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.
If
you're interested in acquiring this superbly executed emblem print—depicting
four 'beasts of burden' within rugged terrain as an emblematic metaphor for
common labourers, used to argue the 17th-century notion that a person’s social
“lot in life” was part of a divine or natural order that should not be
disturbed—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to
provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.
This print has been sold
