Gilliam van der Gouwen, “Gideon's Battle with the Midianites”, pub. 1728, after Gerard Hoet

Gilliam van der Gouwen (also known as Willem van der Gouwen) (circa 1657–1716)

“Gideon's Battle with the Midianites”, published 1728

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on fine laid paper, featuring full margins and the publication’s central vertical fold professionally flattened. To guarantee long-term preservation, the sheet has been expertly stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality sheet of Japanese washi paper.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly pulled. The strength of line and lack of wear to the plate indicate that this is a very early, fresh impression from the defining 1728 print run. Aside from minor handling marks in the margins, the sheet remains in excellent condition with no staining, foxing, or structural issues.

Art-Historical Context:

The composition is executed after a foundational drawing by Gerard Hoet I (also known as Gerard Hoedt, 1648–1733). It was published in 1728 in The Hague (In's Graavenhaage) by Pieter de Hondt (1696–1764) as a double-page centrefold illustration between pages 174 and 175 of the monumental work: “Taferelen der voornaamste geschiedenissen van het Oude en Nieuwe Testament...” (Scenes from the principal histories of the Old and New Testaments...)

The highly dynamic scene dramatically captures the chaotic climax of the biblical narrative found in Judges 7:16–22. Gideon's elite force of 300 Israelites descends on the Midianite camp under cover of night, triggering mass panic by simultaneously sounding their horns, smashing clay jars, and brandishing blazing torches. Reflecting the grand international scale of De Hondt’s publication, the multi-lingual title is lettered below the image in six languages: Hebrew, Latin, French, English, German, and Dutch.

An online digitised version of this exact print in its original publication context can be explored via Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/taferelendervoor00goul/page/n379/mode/2up

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.6 x 54.5 cm
• Platemark: 36.2 x 43.8 cm
• Image: 32.8 x 42.3 cm

References:

• Rijksmuseum: Object number RP-P-1904-2811— https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200197867

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “G. Hoet del.”
• Centre: “Judicum VII: 16–22/ [Multilingual titles in two columns]
• Right: “G. van der Gouwen Sculps.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$289 (approx. US$205.91 / €177.46 / £151.88, subject to daily exchange rates). Price fully includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in acquiring this remarkably dramatic, large-scale Baroque night battle scene, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. A secure, fully protected PayPal invoice will be generated to ensure a seamless transaction.

This print has been sold

Coenraet Decker, “De Stadt Delphus: Tempel van Apollo”, 1685

Coenraet Decker (also known as Conraad Decker) (circa 1650–1685)—a master printmaker of the Dutch Golden Age active in Amsterdam

“De Stadt Delphus: Tempel van Apollo” (The City of Delphi: Temple of Apollo), 1685

Description & Historical Context

This exceptional and rare 17th-century etching presents a creatively inventive, idealised panoramic view of ancient Delphi (De Stadt Delphus) in Greece, celebrated throughout antiquity as the home of the legendary Oracle and the Temple of Apollo.

Published as a gatefold illustration in Amsterdam in 1685 by Timotheus ten Hoorn (1677–1710) for Joannes Aysma’s (1636–1693) monumental work, “Spiegel der Sibyllen” (Mirror of the Sibyls), this engraving features an alphabetical, lettered legend (A through H) pinpointing key mythological and geographical sites—including Mount Parnassus, the Pythia seated on her golden tripod, and the arrival of the oracle-seekers.

An online digitised version of this exact print in its original publication context can be explored via Archive.org. Please note that the Archive has misattributed the publication to Johann Amos Comenius due to a metadata error caused by the author’s identical initials, “J.A.” on the title page: https://archive.org/details/ned-kbn-all-00004030-001/page/n780/mode/2up.

Technical Details & Condition:

The print is in excellent antique condition given its age of over 340 years. The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed, with original publication gatefold creases professionally flattened. Aside from a small, expertly replenished loss in the left margin (safely away from the image border), the sheet shows no major tears or staining. To ensure long-term preservation, the sheet has been professionally stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality washi paper sheet.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 19.6 x 30.6 cm
• Platemark (trimmed along the top edge): 17.8? x 30.3 cm 
• Image borderline: 16.4 x 29.1 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper left: “De Stadt DELPHUS.”
• Upper right: “Pag: 669.” (Original bookbinder's placement instruction)
• Lower right within the image: “C Decker sculp et fec”
• Lower left and right columns below the image: (Legend A–H). Features a Dutch guide to key locations, including “A Den Berg Parnassus,” “D Pythia de Priesterin Sittende op de Goude Drie-voet,” and “G Sibylla Delphica Predikt.”
• Lower centre below the image: “TEMPEL van APPOLO”

References:

• Hollstein Vol. V, p. 138–142 (Decker: Book Illustrations); listed contextually under Joannes Aysma’s Spiegel der Sibyllen (1685)

Price & Shipping:

AU$294 (Approximately US$208.35 / €180.03 / £153.96 — subject to daily currency fluctuations), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this rare, beautifully preserved window into 17th-century classical cartography and mythology, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. A secure PayPal invoice will be provided for a smooth, fully protected transaction.

This print has been sold 

James Brown, "Renoir's Garden", 2026

James Brown

“Renoir’s Garden”, 2026

Graphite and compressed charcoal on BFK Rives cream wove paper, 76 x 56 cm.

Price & Shipping:

AU$1760 (Approximately US$1238.04 / €1074.25 / £920.26 — subject to daily currency fluctuations), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this drawing, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a smooth, fully protected transaction.

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Lately, I’ve been working on large graphite and charcoal drawings. This one is inspired by a photo I took from a window, looking down at what I’ll call Renoir’s Garden, as it’s adjacent to his house.

Regarding my working methods, I use different gauge clutch pencils to hold sticks of graphite and compressed charcoal. The clutch pencils help keep my fingers reasonably clean, which in turn helps prevent smudging and preserves the sharpness of strong tonal contrasts. I also periodically apply a casein-based fixative, inspired by the one Degas reportedly used, to further help minimise smudging. I’m cautious about fixatives, fearing they might darken a drawing over time, but this one seems to be holding up well so far.

At the end of this post, I’ve included some photos of my studio. I love seeing how others set up their workspaces, so I thought I’d share mine. As you’ll see, my space is a bit cramped—packed with books, supplies, and gear—but it’s my little haven where I can work and walk away when finished.