Johann Jakob Thourneyser I, “Portrait of Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours”, 1678

Johann Jakob Thourneyser the Elder (also known as Johann Jakob Thourneysen, Jean Jacques Thourneysen) (1636–1711)

“Portrait of Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours” (also known as “Marie Jeanne Baptiste de Savoye” [Rondot]) 1679

Description:

This superb example of high-Baroque portraiture features the Duchess and Regent of Savoy, Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours (1644–1724), portrayed as a sculpted bust resting on a plinth. The portrait is set within a frame of bold auricular (ear-like) scrolls with an inner wreath of rolling acanthus leaves.

At the base of the plinth, a heraldic shield sits beneath a sovereign crown, signifying her marital alliance and affirming her absolute authority as Regent for her young son, Victor Amadeus II. Due to the natural mirroring process inherent to 17th-century engraving, the components of the shield appear laterally reversed on the paper: the viewer's right features the striking white cross of her husband's lineage (the House of Savoy), while the left displays the intricate quarterly divisions of her own paternal house of Nemours.

Flanking the crest on the lower right corner of the image is a crowned cornucopia, embellished with a fortified city wall and stalks of grain—serving as an allegory of prosperity, celebrating the peace, security, and economic abundance achieved under her governance.

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline, and professionally backed with a support sheet of archival-quality washi paper.

This is a strong, crisp, and evenly printed impression. Aside from small replenished chips along the edges, the sheet remains in good condition with no significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 34.1 x 23.4 cm
• Image borderline: 33.8 x 22.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Lower-left: “I. I. Thourneyser Helv. Basil. Sculpsit Lugduni” (Translation: “Iohannes Iacobus [or Johann Jakob] Thourneyser, a Swiss person from Basel engraved it in Lugdunum [the ancient Roman name for the city of Lyon, France]”)
• Lower-centre: “[1]679.”

References:

• Rondot 55 (Natalis Rondot, “Les Thurneysen: graveurs d'estampes lyonnais au XVIIe …”, 1899, Bernoux et Cumin, p. 61, cat. no. 55)—Available online via Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Natalis_Rondot_Les_Thurneysen_Graveurs_d_estampes?id=HcFIAQAAIAAJ

Price & Shipping:

AU$278 (approximately US$194.73 / €170.78 / £146.02), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare and historically significant engraving, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.

This print has been sold