Pieter Stevens van Gunst, “Plate 3: Study of the Female Nude”, 1685, after Gerard de Lairesse

Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–circa 1731)

“Plate 3: Study of the Female Nude”, 1685

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper with full margins as issued. The watermark on this sheet is a variant of the prestigious Strasburg Lily (or “Crowned Lily”) in a crowned shield, closely matching the form catalogued in W. A. Churchill’s “Watermarks in Paper”, no. 418 (p. CCCXIII). While Churchill's reference specimen includes a full “VAN EGMONT” countermark on the corresponding half of the sheet, this individual folio leaf isolates the central Lily design. It bears the initials "ID" to the left of the shield, indicating production within the prominent Anglo-Dutch trading network of fine French handmade paper, associated with the Jean Villedary workshops.

The presence of this specific, crisp watermark, combined with the wide 3 cm chain-line intervals, serves as a diagnostic guarantee of an authentic, first-edition impression from the 1685 Amsterdam publication. (Note: The later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum in Utrecht, features 2.5 cm chain-lines.)

This engraving is based on a drawing from the École de Médecine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), and is Plate 3 of one hundred and three in Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) landmark anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams” (Anatomy of the Human Body / Dissection of the Human Body), first published in 1685 in Amsterdam by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) with Hendrick Boom and Dirk Boom heirs.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with only minor signs of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in excellent condition for its large size and age, with only minor handling marks and a small 1 cm tear along the lower edge. It remains free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 54.2 x 37 cm
• Platemark: 45.9 x 30.5 cm
• Image borderline: 45.1 x 29 cm

In-Plate lettering:

• Upper-right corner: “T.81.”
• Within the figure: Key points labelled from “A” to “M”

References:

• Archive.org offers an online view of this print within its original publication context: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n25/mode/2up
• Throwbridge Gallery provides an insightful account of the history and controversies surrounding the publication in which this print features: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/shop/medical/william-cowper/william-cowper-t81/
• Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-OB-70.620 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200398336

Price & Shipping:

AU$408 (approximately US$291.97 / €250.34 / £214.21, 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 acquiring this distinguished masterwork of anatomical engraving—noting the highly refined use of the “dot and lozenge” technique for rendering tonal transitions—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Abraham Blooteling, "Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg,” 1685, after Gerard de Lairesse

Abraham Blooteling (also known as Abraham Bloteling, Abraham Blotelingh, and Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c.1731)

"Plate 81: Flayed Human Foot, Leg" — Extensor Muscles and Tendons of the Lower Limb, 1685

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on laid paper with full margins as issued. This engraving is based on a drawing from the École de Médecine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), and is Plate 81 (Tab. 81) in Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) landmark anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams," first published in 1685 in Amsterdam by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676).

Note: This impression features the 3 cm chain-lines characteristic of the first edition of 1685. The later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht, has 2.5 cm chain-lines. The watermark, reading “BRUN/ EN/ DANGOU,” possibly indicates the Brun family as the paper manufacturer— a prominent name in French papermaking. The last line may refer to its manufacture in d'Angoumois, aligning with the 1688 and 1739 decrees requiring papermakers to include their name and province of origin in the watermark. This three-line watermark helps date this impression to between 1688 and 1739.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with only minor signs of wear to the plate. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53.5 x 36.5 cm
• Platemark: 50 x 30.6 cm

Lettered on Plate:

• Upper-right corner: “T.81.”
• Within the image, key points are lettered from “A” to “Q”. (“A”—knee; “B”—fibula; “C”—portions of tibia; “D”—calf; “E”—tibialis anterior muscle; etc.)

References:

• Throwbridge Gallery offers a detailed description of this print and an insightful account of the history and controversies surrounding its publication: https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/shop/medical/william-cowper/william-cowper-t81/
• Archive.org offers an online view of this print and its context within the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n273/mode/2up
• Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bidloo_Ontleding_1690_81.jpg

Price & Shipping:

AU$388 (approximately US$275.76 / €235.97 / £205.97), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this large and renowned masterwork of anatomical engraving—an exceptional display of craftsmanship and ingenuity in depicting muscles and tendons—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst, “Plate 86: Dissected Foot with Muscles Revealed”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/59–c.1731)

Plate 86: Dissected Foot with Muscles Revealed”, 1685, after a drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711), engraved illustration to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis/ Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren [fl. after 1679]) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

Engraving on laid paper with Strasburg Lily watermark of 1625 (see WA Churchill no. 401, p. 83) and full margins as published.

Note that this impression has the 3cm chainlines of the first edition of 1685, whereas the later edition of 1734, published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht has 2.5cm chainlines.

Size: (sheet) 51.4 x 33.1cm; (plate) 47.4 x 30cm.

Lettered in plate: (upper-right corner) “T. 86.”; index lettered “A” to “F” following “Fig. 1” to “Fig. 3”.

Archive.org offers a view of this print in its context in the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n287/mode/2up.

Condition: a strong and well-printed (near faultless) impression. The sheet has dot stains at the upper right and a restored (closed) tear in the margin at lower right, otherwise the sheet is in an excellent condition for its age and large size with no holes, folds, abrasions, losses, significant stains or handling marks.

I am selling this large and famous masterpiece of anatomical engraving that is not only superbly executed, but also displays exceptional ingenuity in displaying the muscles and tendons, for AU$485 (currently US$309.88/ EUR293.78/ GBP243.37 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$485) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this extraordinary and technically magnificent print, 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

Abraham Blooteling & Pieter Stevens van Gunst's engraving, “Plate 67: Inferioris Brachii, ut & Manus digitorumque quosdam”, 1685

Abraham Blooteling (aka Abraham Bloteling; Abraham Blotelingh; Abraham Blootelingh) (1640–1690) and Pieter Stevens van Gunst (aka Pieter van Gunst) (1658/ 59–c1731)

“Plate 67: Inferioris Brachii, ut & Manus digitorumque quosdam” (lower arm, and palm of hand and fingers), 1685, after the drawing in the Ecole de Médicine, Paris, by Gerard de Lairesse (1640/41–1711) as plate 67 to Govard Bidloo’s (1649–1713) famous anatomical atlas, “Anatomia humani corporis / Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams", first published by the widow of Johan van Someren (1622–1676) (de Weduwe van Joannes van Someren [fl. after 1679]) in 1685 in Amsterdam.

Note that this impression has the 3 cm chainlines of the first edition of 1685 and the later 1734 edition published by Jacob van Poolsum (1701–1762) in Utrecht has 2.5 cm chainlines.

For a marvellous description of the history behind this plate (and a current retail price) see:

https://trowbridgegallery.com.au/product/william-cowper-t67/.

This publication is available to view online or to download free-of-charge from archive.org:

(https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008642049/page/n231/mode/2up).

Engraving on laid paper (3 cm chainlines) with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 50.6 x 35.3 cm; (plate) 47.3 x 32.1 cm.

Numbered on plate at upper right corner: “T. 67.” and index lettered from “A” to “N”.

Condition: strong and well-printed impression with small restored abrasions, a closed tear in the lower margin and minor spots appropriate to the age of the print; otherwise the sheet is in very good condition (i.e. there are no holes, folds, losses or significant stains).

I am selling this large masterpiece of anatomical engraving that is not only superbly executed but also displays exceptional ingenuity in displaying an anterior view of the forearm with the layering of muscles responsible for flexion at the wrist and fingers, and pronation, for  AU$485 (currently US$337.96/EUR299.33/GBP299.33 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 extraordinary and technically magnificent print, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.