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, 30 August 2026

Anthony van Dyck with Lucas Vorsterman, “Christ Crowned with Thorns”, c. 1630

Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641) in collaboration with Lucas Vorsterman I (also known as Lucas Aemilius Vorsterman) (1595–1675)

“Christ Crowned with Thorns” (also known as “The Mocking of Christ” or “The Reed Offered to Christ”), circa 1630

Artistic & Technical Collaboration:

The etching component was completed by the hand of Anthony van Dyck—as inscribed in the plate, “Anton. van Dyck invenit et fecit aqua forti”—and the plate was completed in engraving by Lucas Vorsterman. Notably, the technique of finishing an etching with burin (the engraving tool) was innovative at the time. Carl Depauw and Ger Luiten (1999) cite John Evelyn describing it as “a new invention linked to the name of Lucas Vorsterman.”

Depauw & Luiten also suggest that Vorsterman re-etched the plate to create a spatter-like, speckled effect, transforming van Dyck’s parallel lines into detailed cross-hatching and expertly rendering textures, such as the shining Roman helmet.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on laid paper, with narrow margins around the image border, retaining the verses below the image. This impression is from State VI (of VII) with the note of privilege (“Cum Privilegio”) erased, but before the addition of publication details for Jacques Philippe Le Bas (1707–1783) of Paris.

The impression is strong, crisp, and evenly inked. The sheet is in excellent condition for its age, with only minor age-toning and traces of glue on the verso; otherwise, it remains free of tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 26.5 x 21.5 cm
• Image borderline: 24.4 x 21 cm

In-Plate lettering (below the image in two columns of two lines of Latin and publication details):

• Left: “Ecce stat innocuus spinis redemitus acutis, / Æmula sunt cuius bella labella rosis: / Anton. van Dyck inuenit et fecit aqua forti.”
• Right: “Et vero Iudæe illudis arundine Regi, / Impie sed nescis te mala quanta manent.”

(Translation): “Behold, he stands innocent, redeemed by sharp thorns, whose beautiful lips are envied by roses. And truly, O Jew, you mock the King with a reed, O impious, you do not know how many evils await you. Anthony van Dyck invented and made this with etching.”

References:

• Mauquoy-Hendricx (van Dyck) A-6 (Marie Mauquoy-Hendrickx, “L'Iconographie d'Antoine van Dyck: Catalog Raisonné”, 1991, Brussels, Royal Library Albert I, p. 116, cat. no. A-VI)
• New Hollstein Dutch 519
• Carl Depauw & Ger Luiten, “Anthony van Dyck as a Printmaker”, 1999, New York, Rizzoli, pp. 234–39, cat. no. 31
• British Museum: Museum number 1931,0413.11 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1931-0413-11
• Rijksmuseum: Object number RP-P-1953-709 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200127450

Price & Shipping:

AU$1058 (approximately US$757.99 / €654.14 / £560.05, subject to daily exchange rates). Price includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you’re interested in acquiring this superb original etching—an iconic image of Christ’s suffering, with the “supernatural glow” from his halo contrasted against the textured face of the tormentor—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.

This print has been sold