(Attrib.) Adriaen Collaert, ““The Emperor Commodus Killing a Leopard”, c. 1596, after Jan van der Straet

(Attrib.) Adriaen Collaert (circa 1560–1618)

“The Emperor Commodus Killing a Leopard” (aka “Keizer Commodus doodt een luipaard met een pijl” [Emperor Commodus kills a leopard with an arrow]), circa 1596

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper. This print is plate 14 from the series of 104 engravings titled “Hunting Parties” (also known as “Venationes Ferarum, Bird, and Fish”). The design is after Jan van der Straet (also known as Joannes Stradanus and Ioannes Stradanus) (1523–1605), and the engraving was published in Antwerp by Philips Galle (1537–1612).

This impression is from the second state (of three), prior to being reworked and published by Philips Galle’s grandson, Joannes Galle (also known as Ioan Galle and Jan Galle) (1600–1676), who modified the figures in the background. A third state impression of this print, which I previously listed, can be viewed at: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2021/07/attrib-adriaen-collaerts-engraving.html.

The impression is strong and well-printed—nearly faultless. The sheet is in near-pristine condition for its age, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 22.3 x 30.6 cm
• Platemark: 20.3 x 27 cm
• Image borderline: 18.3 x 26.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline on lower edge: (left of centre) “Ioan. Stradanus inuent.”; (right of centre) “Phls Galle excud.”
• Below the image borderline: (left) “14”; (two lines of two columns at centre) “Pensilis è cauea Tigris rabiosa theatre / Erumpit vinclis, hominiq[ue] occurrit inermi, // Quem ne dilaceret fera bellua, Commodus arcu / Impedit, atq[ue] feræ iacit in præcordia telum.”

References:

• New Hollstein 513.II (Marjolein Leesberg [comp.], “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Johannes Stradanus”, vol. 3, Amsterdam, Sound & Vision, p.193, cat. no. 513)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1856-0712-440
• Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.97378
• Archive.org offers an online view of the publication, “Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium”, in which this engraving appears: https://archive.org/details/printboeck00stra/page/n89/mode/2up

Price & Shipping:

AU$307 (approximately US$216.48 / €185.15 / £161.30), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this fascinating glimpse into Roman life during the reign of Emperor Commodus—an era marked by his megalomania, statues portraying him as Hercules, and the renaming of Rome to “Colonia Commodiana”—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will be happy to provide a PayPal invoice to facilitate a smooth and secure purchase.

This print has been sold

Theodoor Galle, “St John of Egypt Holding a Crucifix”, c. 1600

Theodoor Galle (also known as Theodor Galle, and Dirck Galle) (1571–1633)
“St John of Egypt Holding a Crucifix” (also known as “Ioannes Aegyptivs, Monachvs” [John the Egyptian Monk]), circa 1600–1612

Saint John of Egypt, also revered as Saint John the Anchorite and Saint John the Hermit, was a renowned desert father and ascetic who dwelled in the Nitrian Desert (Wadi El Natrun), Egypt, near the city of Lycopolis (modern Asyut) during the fourth century AD (circa 305–394). His life and deeds are well documented; for further information, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Egypt.

Technical Details & Condition:

This is an engraved portrait on laid paper, trimmed around the borderline and laid on an archival support sheet that provides stability and generous margins. The impression is strong, clear, and virtually faultless. The sheet exhibits a small chip on the right edge and the upper right corner; aside from these minor imperfections, it is in excellent condition with no holes, folds, or stains.

This engraving is part of the series “Four Hermits”—depicting Hilarion, Abraham, Malchus, and John of Egypt—based on drawings by Theodoor Galle and published in Antwerp by his father, Philips Galle (also known as Philippe Galle; Philippus Gallaeus) (1537–1612).

 Dimensions:

• Sheet: 13.3 x 10.4 cm
• Image Border: 12.9 x 10.3 cm

 Plate Lettering:

• Within the image border at lower left: “Theodor. Galle inuent. et Sculp.”
• Within the image border at lower right: “Phls Galle excu.”
• Within the margin at centre: “IOANNES AEGYPTIVS, MONACHVS.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$302 (approximately US$201.29 / €171.42 / £150.34), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare engraving—so rare that it is not held in the collections of the British Museum or the Rijksmuseum—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Philips Galle, “Elephant Hunt”, 1578, after Jan van der Straet (2nd copy)

Philips Galle (aka Philippe Galle; Philippus Gallaeus) (1537–1612)

“Elephant Hunt”, 1578 (published 1596), from the series of 43 engravings published by Galle in “Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium” dedicated to Cosimo de Medici, after Jan van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus) (1523–1605). The curator of the British Museum advises that the number of plates was increased to a total of 104 plates when prints by A. Collaert, J. Collaert, C. Galle I and C. de Mallery were added in the second edition (1634) dedicated to the jurist Henricus van Osthoorn en Sonnevelt (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1957-0413-37 and A. Baroni and M. Sellink 2012, “Stradanus 1523-1605: Court artist of the Medici”, exh.cat. Groeningemuseum Brugge 2008–2009, Turnhout, pp.245–58, cat.nos.32–49).

Engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline with loss of the writing edge and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (irregularly trimmed sheet) 20.8 x 30.7cm; (image borderline) 20 x 29.6cm

Inscribed in plate: (on tusk) “Iohan Stra. inuen.”

New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 422 (Johannes Stradanus); New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish); 520 (Philips Galle); Baroni Vannucci 693.5 (Alessandra Baroni Vannucci 1997, “Jan van der Straet, detto Giovanni Stradano, flandrus pictor et inventor”, Milan, Jandi Sapi Editori).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Plate 5, Elephant Hunt; in the foreground, two elephants are surrounded by men on horseback who target the animals with their spears; beyond other huntsmen chase a herd of elephants” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1957-0413-233).

To set this print into a timeline regarding when it was executed:

- Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in his ship, “The Golden Hind”;

- William Harvey discovered how blood circulated our bodies;

- Martin Frobisher sailed to Canada and mined fool's gold used to pave streets in London;

-  Michelangelo finished painting “The Last Judgement” in the Sistine Chapel just 37 years earlier;

- Leonardo’s “La Gioconda” (aka “Mona Lisa”) was—arguably—finished 72 years earlier.

Perhaps more significant than all of the above, this marvellous print was executed during the rise of Baroque Age that was later tempered by the vision of Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). Why I mention Rubens in this timeframe should not be too surprising as the composition of the engraving with its spiralling rhythms and radiating lines created by the lances has the hallmarks of Ruben’s most famous hunting scenes— “Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt” (1615–16); “Wolf and Fox Hunt” (c.1616); “Wild-Boar Hunt” (1618–20); “The Lion Hunt” (1621).

Condition: a well-printed impression (possibly a lifetime impression based on the quality of the line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate) trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline (with loss of the writing edge) and laid upon a sheet of millennium quality washi paper providing wide margins. Beyond appropriate age-toning, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holds, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this exceptionally rare engraving from the late 1500s for a total cost of AU$326 (approximately US$212.65, EUR 182.54 or GBP 158.20), including express mail shipping worldwide. Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this important print from the Baroque Age, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Philips Galle, “Cyrus showing Daniel the Bel Idol”, 1565, after Maarten van Heemskerck

Philips Galle (aka Philippus Gallaeus: Philippe Galle) (1537–1612)

“Cyrus showing Daniel the Bel Idol”, 1565, the second plate from the series of ten engravings, “The Story of Daniel, Bel and the Dragon” (New Hollstein 226–235) after the design by Maarten van Heemskerck (aka Martin Heemskerk; Maarten van Veen) (1498–1574), initially published in Antwerp by Hieronymus Cock (aka Jérome Cock) (c1517/18–1570) and later (as is the case with this impression) by Theodoor Galle (aka Theodor Galle; Dirck Galle) (1571–1633).

Engraving on fine laid paper trimmed along the platemark and backed with a support sheet providing wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 20.7 x 25.3 cm; (image borderline) 19.7 x 25.1 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (right of centre) “Martinus van heemskerck inuentor”; (right) “Theodor. Galle excu. 2”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (centre) “Rex Danielem ad Belum ducit ostendens quam multa comedat bibatq[ue]” (The king takes Daniel to Bel, showing him how much he eats and drinks).

New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) / The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts 1450-1700 (227.II); Riggs 1977 / Hieronymus Cock, Printmaker and Publisher (140)

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Cyrus showing Daniel the Bel idol; before the statue is a banquet table and a line of servants carry food and drink; after Heemskerck. 1565” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_D-5-86).

Condition: a strong and well-printed (near faultless) impression trimmed along the platemark and laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. The sheet is in a near pristine condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this marvellously strong impression for the total cost of AU $298 (currently US $185.13/ EUR 179.89/ GBP 151.79 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 $298) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkably fine engraving, 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