Caspar Merian, “Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662, after Jan Peeters

Caspar Merian (1627–1686)

“Mont Saint-Michel”, published 1662

Contextual Commentary:

This is an historically important 17th-century view of the famous and dramatically spectacular fortress and abbey situated on a rocky tidal island in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel off the northwestern coast of France. The composition is designed after an original drawing by Jan Peeters the Elder (also known as Johannes Peters) (1624–c. 1677).

This panoramic coastal view of the island of Mont Saint-Michel is from the original folio page, clean-trimmed away from a separate view of Lisievs (Lisieux)—another prominent historic site in Normandy—which was originally printed directly above it on the same sheet. It was printed by Jacob van Meurs (fl. c. 1651–1680) and published in Amsterdam in the first Dutch-language edition (1662) by the widow of Joost Broersz and Caspar Merian. It served as an illustration to the third volume of the landmark four-volume atlas composed by Caspar Merian and Martin Zeiller (1589–1661): “Topographia Galliae dat is beschrijvinge van Vranckrijck ... Derde deel. T. Amsterdam” (translated: “Topographia Galliae, that is, a description of France ... Third part. Amsterdam”).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline on the top and sides, and with a larger margin on the lower edge. The vertical publication fold has been professionally stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality sheet of Japanese washi paper.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed with strong tonal contrasts. The sheet is in excellent condition for its wide dimensions and considerable age, remaining free of tears, holes, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 14.5 x 31.9 cm
• Inner image borderline: 11.7 x 31 cm

In-Plate lettering:

• Upper centre: “MONT S^T. MICHEL.”
• Lower left: “Peeters del”

References:

• David Rumsey Map Collection: View item record for this specific plate layout and associated volumes via the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection — https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~312539~90081827:V--3--Lisevs--Mont-St--Michel  or access digitized records via the Internet Archive — https://archive.org/details/dr_lisevs-mont-st-michel-iohan-peeters-del-to-accompany-topographia-gall-13088284

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approx. US$169.56 / €150.81 / £127.20, 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 this historically significant and detailed 17th-century panoramic view of Mont Saint-Michel—long before its iconic, 19th-century neo-Gothic spire was built—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Bernard Picart, “Erigone and Bacchus”, c. 1730, after Guido Reni

Bernard Picart (1673–1733)

“Erigone and Bacchus” (titled in the plate “Erigone et Bachus en Grape de Raisin” [Erigone and Bacchus as a Bunch of Grapes]), c. 1730 (1725–1733)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with plate tone, printed in brown ink on wove paper.

This is Plate 30 from “Impostures innocentes, ou Recueil d’estampes d’après divers peintres illustres” (Innocent Impostures, or a Collection of Prints after Various Illustrious Painters). The series was engraved by Picart in the final years of his life and first published posthumously in Amsterdam by his widow, “chez la Veuve B. Picart”, in 1734. The composition is based on a figure by Guido Reni (1575–1642).

The impression is strong and crisp, and the sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, and stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 21.5 x 26.8 cm
• Platemark: 11.9 x 13.2 cm
• Image borderline: 10.9 x 12.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Guido Rheni invenit”
• Centre: “Erigone, et Bachus en Grape de Raisin.”
• Right: “B. Picart sculp.”

References:

• LeBlanc 71 (Ch. Leblanc, “Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes”, vol. 3, 1888, Paris, Émile Bouillon, p. 492, cat. no. 71)
• The complete publication, “Impostures innocentes, ou Recueil d'estampes d'après divers peintres illustres”, featuring this print, is available digitally via the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_impostures-innocentes-o_picart-bernard_1756/page/n61/mode/2up
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1861,1109.772 —https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-1109-772

Price & Shipping:

AU$226 (approximately US$157.35 / €139.95 / £118.15), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in purchasing this sensitively executed etching depicting the daughter of Icarius—the mythical nymph Erigone—encountering Bacchus (Dionysus), who appears to her in the guise of a bunch of grapes, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to send you a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.

Adriaen Collaert, “Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (c. 1560–1618)

“Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun” (also known as “Sol” and “Volwassenheid onder invloed van de zon”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 4 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) (1532–1602) and was published in Antewerp 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 (possibly binding holes) and minor staining in the margin at upper right, the sheet is in good condition, free from tears, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.5 x 25.3 cm
• Platemark: 30.3 x 22.3 cm
• Image borderline: 28.7 x 21.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper centre) “SOL”; (lower left) “HONOS”
• Below the image: (centre) “Est HONOR hunc ætas Sectatur quarta Iuuentus / Quartus et his claris SOL quoque clarus adest” (translation: There is Honour, which the fourth age—Youth—pursues; and, accompanying these illustrious figures, the Sun—itself illustrious—is also present.); (right) “4”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1369
• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty) 638
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1862,0712.324 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-324
• The Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1981-67 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175204. The Rijksmuseum describes this print: “In the sky hovers the planet god Sol, the sun. In the foreground are the personifications of Honos, Honor, depicted as a soldier and a virtuous housewife who is spinning. In the background, a knightly tournament. 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 man.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$233.56 / €208.31 / £176.39), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in owning this symbolism-rich engraving, it carries a remarkable historical resonance: it was published in 1581, the exact year the Low Countries signed the Act of Abjuration to declare independence from Spain. This masterpiece was born at the chaotic, brilliant turning point that forged the Dutch Republic and sparked the Golden Age of Northern printmaking. 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