Circle of Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “Sea Creatures”, c1600

Unidentified engraver from the circle of Jan Sadeler I (aka Johann Sadeler; Johannes Sadeler) (1550–1600) and Maarten de Vos (aka Marten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1603)—possibly Giovanni Battista Cavalieri (aka Giovanni Battista de' Cavalieri; Joannes Baptista Cavalleris; Giovanni Battista Cavallieri (c1525–1601) based on stylistic similarities (cf. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1951-0407-72) and the artist’s proclivity to interpret other artist’s compositions, or Adriaen Collaert (c1560–1618) (as proposed in Flickr to the New Bedford Whaling Museum [https://www.flickr.com/photos/nbwm/2912173114/).

“Sea Creatures” (descriptive title only), c1600, after the design to the left side of Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “Creation of Birds and Sea Creatures” (aka “Schepping van de vogels en de zeedieren”) [http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168186 and the copied adaption http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168187), published in “Thesaurus Sacrarum Historiarum Veteris Testamenti …" (Antwerp 1585). Jan Sadler I’s engraving is after the design of a lost drawing by Maarten de Vos (see TiB 7001.014 [Supplement] p. 29) and Sadeler’s print was interpreted by Jacob Bouttats for the painting, “Creacion de los animals”in the Museo de Navarra, Pamplona (see https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2726683/0/dos-oleos-jacob-bouttats-xvii-museo-navarra-participar-21-edicion-edades-hombre/).

Engraving on laid paper trimmed around the image borderline with letterpress Fraktur text verso and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet trimmed slightly unevenly) 9.9 x 13.8 cm.

Condition: the impression is in a poor condition with abraded areas and a replenished lower left corner and other restored fractures and tears. The engraving is trimmed around the image borderline (or perhaps slightly within) and has been laid onto a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this rare and sensitively executed engraving from the Renaissance showing stylised marine creatures—viz. otter, whale, sawfish, turtle, walrus, crocodile, puffer fish and a flying fish—for a total cost of AU$288 (currently US$223.63/EUR182.8/GBP157.01 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).

If you are interested in purchasing this often-reproduced engraving—no doubt because it is a quintessential compendium of weird and wonderful sea creatures—but a print that is seldom seen on the art market, 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

Giovanni Battista de’ Cavalieri’s etching, “Dionysus with Panther and Satyr”, 1594

Giovanni Battista de’ Cavalieri (aka Joannes Baptista Cavalleris; Giovanni Battista Cavallieri) (c.1525–1601)

“Dionysus with Panther and Satyr” (aka “Bacchus”), 1594, etching after the 2nd century AD Roman marble sculpture, “Dionysus with Panther and Satyr”, in the Palazzo Altemps in Rome, published in Rome as plate 74 in Cavalieri’s “Antiquarum Statuarum Urbis Romae tertius et quartus liber ... Io. Baptista de Caualleriis authore” (this publication may be viewed online or downloaded free-of-charge from archive.org: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5biC5PEvYj0C/page/n159/mode/2up).

According to Michael Bury (2001) in “The Print in Italy 1550–1620” (British Museum, p. 224), the first book of prints in the series was issued before 1561/2, the second was re-issued with the first before 1584, and books 3 and 4 (in which this print features) were added in 1594.

Etching and engraving with pale plate tone on laid paper with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 25.4 x 19.5 cm; (plate) 22.1 x 15.6 cm.

Inscribed on plate: (upper right corner) “Bacchus, cu Sileno Colossus miræ/ pulchritudinis. In Palatio Mucij Mat;/ thæi, in Quirinali, ibidem nuper/ repertus.”; (lower right) “74”.

Regarding the subject, Wikipedia offers the following insights:

“The formula, with somewhat exaggerated contrapposto, the god's right hand resting on his head, is based on the Apollo Lyceus, which is variously attributed and dated. This ivy-crowned Dionysus is accompanied by the panther that signalises his numinous presence, and a satyr of reduced size, a member of his retinue. Long locks of his hair fall girlishly over his shoulders and in his left hand he holds a bunch of grapes, emblematic of his status as god of wine” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludovisi_Dionysus).

Condition: richly inked and strong impression showing the printer’s clumsy wiping of the plate edge at upper-right and traces of plate movement during printing at the upper edge. The sheet is in very good condition (i.e. there are no tears, folds, holes, losses, abrasions, stains or foxing) and is laid upon a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this bold late Renaissance etching exemplifying the Italian leaning at that time towards very direct linework and unapologetic printing—note the poorly wiped plate edges, the surface scratches on the plate and the ink traces of movement in the printing process—for AU$320 (currently US$220.84/EUR196/GBP175.88 at the time of posting this print) 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 visually arresting etching of an equally strong Roman sculpture, 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