Nicolas van Aelst, “Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife”, c.1600, after Marcantonio Raimondi and Raphael

Nicolas van Aelst (aka Nicolaus van Aelst; Nicolo van Aelst) (c.1550s–1613)

Note that the National Gallery of Prague attributes this print to Marcantonio Raimondi (see https://sbirky.ngprague.cz/en/dielo/CZE:NG.R_6346), but the Rijksmuseum advises that it is a copy after Raimondi by Nicolas van Aelst (see http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.34468). Based on the inscription at lower left, “Nicolo uan aelst formis” (Nicolas van Aelst formed it), I believe that the Rijksmuseum is correct.

“Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife”, c.1600 (1588–1612), after Marcantonio Raimondi’s (1470/82–1527/34) engraving (see BM inv. no. H,1.11) after Raphael’s (1483–1520) fresco (1518–19) on the ceiling of the Logge di Raffaello in the Vatican, published in Rome by Nicolas van Aelst between 1588 and 1612 when the artist was active in Rome.

Engraving on laid paper with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet providing wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 23.1 x 27.2 cm; (plate) 20.9 x 24.7 cm; (image borderline) 21.6 x 24.4 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (lower left corner) “Nicolo uan aelst formis”: (lower right corner) Marcantonio Raimondi’s tablet monogram.

(Marcantonio Raimondi) TIB 26.9 (Konrad Oberhuber [ed.] 1978, “The Illustrated Bartsch: The Works of Marcantonio Raimondi and of his School”, vol. 26, New York, Abaris Books, p. 18, cat. no. 9).

Condition: a well-printed impression, trimmed with a small margin (approx. 1.2 cm) around the platemark. The upper-left corner of the margin has been restored and the sheet has many stains (mainly in the margin) and has been laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this dramatic engraving showing the tension filled episode of the biblical story of Joseph and Zuleika (Potiphar’s Wife) when Joseph loses his cloak after repelling Zuleika’s lustful advances—note the devil of impropriety in the distance—for the total cost of AU$304 (currently US$203.89/EUR187.17/GBP156.28 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$304) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this early engraving based on Raphael’s fresco, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Giorgio Ghisi’s engraving, “The Prophet Jeremiah”, c1540, after Michelangelo

Giorgio Ghisi (1520–1582)

“The Prophet Jeremiah” (aka “Hieremias”), c1540 [V&A], from the series of six engravings, “The Prophets and Sibyls”, after the frescoes by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) in the Sistine Chapel, published between 1570–1575 by Nicolas van Aelst (1550s?–1613).

Based on weight of paper and (from what I can see) no evidence of two sheets being joined that is an attribute of the van Aeist edition, this impression is possibly from the Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi (1627–1691) edition of c1650.

Engraving on heavy laid paper with full margins as published and with binding holes along the upper edge of the sheet.

Size: (sheet) 64.5 x 50.5 cm; (plate) 56.3 x 43.6 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (on tablet) “HIEREMIAS”; (on pedestal) “Nic^o. Van aelst formis/ Romæ”.

Ink annotation in the margin at upper right: “18” (or “81”).

State ii (of ii) with the address of van Aelst.

TIB 31.17 (393) (Suzanne Boorsch & John Spike [eds.] 1986, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Italian Artist of the Sixteenth Century”, vol. 31, New York, Abaris Books, p. 52, cat. no. 17-[1] [393]).

The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum offer descriptions of this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_V-2-51; https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1153670/the-prophets-and-sibyls-print-ghisi-giorgio/.

Condition: a richly inked and near faultless impression with margins and binding holes as published. The sheet is numbered in brown ink in the margin at upper right. There is (natural) cockling to the edges of the paper, otherwise this enormous sheet is in an exceptionally fine condition for its age with no tears, folds, losses, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this huge engraving of one of the most famous—and accurate!—engravings in the series reproducing Michelangelo’s vast fresco ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, for AU$594 (currently US$440.39/EUR371.53/GBP316.30 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Please note that this print may be mailed rolled because of its size.

If you are interested in purchasing this seldom seen engraving in superb condition, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Francesco Brizio's engraving, “St Mary Magdalene in Penitence”, c.1600

Francesco Brizio (aka Francesco Briccio) (1574–1623)

“St Mary Magdalene in Penitence” (aka “Mary Magdalen”; “Maria Magdalena”), c.1600, possibly after Lodovico Carracci (1555–1619) (according to Carlo Cesare Malvasia [1961] in “Le Pitture di Bologna”, p. 74) or more likely Titian (1489/90–1576) because of the close view of Mary seen in supplication (according to DeGrazia Bohlin [1979] in her catalogue raisonné for the Carracci family, p. 396), published by Nicolas van Aelst (1550s–1613).

Engraving on laid paper trimmed with a thread margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 23.1 x 18.2 cm; (inner image borderline) 21.2 x 18 cm.

Lettered below the image borderline: “SPECVLVM PENITENTIÆ”.

State i (of ii) lifetime impression before the addition of the publisher’s address.

TIB 4003.004 S1 (Veronika Birke 1987, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Italian Masters of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries”, vol. 40 [Commentary Part 1], New York, Abaris Books, p. 185, cat.no. .004 S1); DeGrazia Bohlin R29 (Diane DeGrazia Bohlin 1979, “Prints and Related Drawings by the Carracci Family: A Catalogue Raisonné”, Washington, National Gallery of Art, p. 396, cat.no. R 29); Bartsch XVIII.80.83 (under Agostino Carracci) (Adam Bartsch 1803, “Le Peintre Graveur”, vol. 18, Vienna, p. 80, cat.no. 83).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print:

(transl.) “Maria Magdalena in a landscape. In the background on the right is an ointment jar”

(http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.collect.90859)

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum:

https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1543411&partId=1&searchText=Francesco+Brizio+&page=1

Regarding the pose of a figure portrayed resting their head on their hand, by tradition this pose signifies a state of melancholy and because the figure shown here is the biblical figure, Mary Magdalen—note her symbolic attribute: the jar of ointment used to anoint the crucified Christ—her pose is likely to signify repentant sorrow for her former life as a promiscuous woman.

Condition: Evenly and well-printed lifetime impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed with a narrow margin around the borderline and laid upon a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. The sheet is in excellent condition for its age (i.e. there are no tears, folds, holes, losses, abrasions, stains or foxing).

I am selling this exceptionally rare lifetime impression (before the addition of the publisher’s name) in museum quality condition for AU$432 in total (currently US$289.76/EUR265.33/GBP224.22 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this beautifully executed engraving exemplifying the Baroque period style of heightened drama and exuberant rhythms, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

(Publisher) Nicolas van Aelst’s engraving, “The Archangel Michael Defeating the Devil”, 1599

(Publisher) Nicolas van Aelst (c1526–1613)

Regarding the identity of the engraver of this remarkably strong image, Van Aelst is one of the leading publishers of prints (fl.1585 in Rome)—especially those by Tempesta, Brambilla and Alberti—and, importantly, he is also known to have been an engraver (see Michael Bury’s [2001] “The Print in Italy 550–1620”, p. 221). Accordingly, there is a chance that this plate is engraved by the hand of Van Aelst. Be mindful, however, that Van Aelst was not averse to omitting the engravers’ names from the prints that he published and that finding a print by Van Aelst to make a stylistic comparison is not easy.

“The Archangel Michael Defeating the Devil”, 1599 (dated on plate).

Engraving on laid paper backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 56 x 41 cm; (plate) 49.5 x 35.5 cm

Lettered in Latin below the image borderline: (left) “Signifer excelso Satanam .../ ... ad ima premit.”; (centre with text separated by a coat of arms) “…/ …/ Nicolaus Van aelst Belga Dedic. // Principi Ac/ .../ ...1599"; (right) “Suporiorune …/ Pugna grauis: Dux iste potens: Sed. Fortiori ille/ Vincit, et. altitonans hostis ab axe ruit. &c” (Note: I have difficulty in reading some of the text consequently I have left ellipses where there is uncertainty and there may be errors with the text that I have recorded.)

Condition: richly inked lifetime impression (based on the crisp lines showing no sign of wear to the printing plate and still retaining the lettering guide lines). The image area is in very good condition but there is separation tears along the plate mark resulting in the need for a support sheet.

I am selling this large engraving of the utmost rarity—so rare that I have been unsuccessful in finding another copy of it in any of the major museum repositories—for the total cost of AU$560 (currently US$396.80/EUR350.25/GBP29908 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this graphically powerful image of the archangel Michael as the iconic warrior defeating Satan and in the far less common role as a participant on judgement day weighing the souls of the recently departed, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold