Adriaen Collaert, “Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (c. 1560–1618)

“Adulthood Under the Influence of the Sun” (also known as “Sol” and “Volwassenheid onder invloed van de zon”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 4 in the series of eight engravings (including the title plate) titled “Septem Planetæ” (aka “The Seven Planets and Seven Ages”; “De zeven planeten en zeven leeftijden”; “Septem planetae, septem hominis”), illustrating the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of mankind. The work is based on a design by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1602) and was published in Antewerp by Gerard de Jode (aka Geeraert/Geerart/Gerardo/Gheerde/Gheraerde/Girard de Jode) (1516/17–1591).

The engraving is a well-printed slightly silvery impression. Aside from holes at the upper edge of the margin (possibly binding holes) and minor staining in the margin at upper right, the sheet is in good condition, free from tears, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.5 x 25.3 cm
• Platemark: 30.3 x 22.3 cm
• Image borderline: 28.7 x 21.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper centre) “SOL”; (lower left) “HONOS”
• Below the image: (centre) “Est HONOR hunc ætas Sectatur quarta Iuuentus / Quartus et his claris SOL quoque clarus adest” (translation: There is Honour, which the fourth age—Youth—pursues; and, accompanying these illustrious figures, the Sun—itself illustrious—is also present.); (right) “4”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1369
• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty) 638
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1862,0712.324 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-324
• The Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1981-67 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175204. The Rijksmuseum describes this print: “In the sky hovers the planet god Sol, the sun. In the foreground are the personifications of Honos, Honor, depicted as a soldier and a virtuous housewife who is spinning. In the background, a knightly tournament. The print has a Latin caption and is part of a seven-part series about the power of the seven planets over the seven ages of man.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$233.56 / €208.31 / £176.39), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in owning this symbolism-rich engraving, it carries a remarkable historical resonance: it was published in 1581, the exact year the Low Countries signed the Act of Abjuration to declare independence from Spain. This masterpiece was born at the chaotic, brilliant turning point that forged the Dutch Republic and sparked the Golden Age of Northern printmaking. Please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice for an easy and secure purchase.

This print has been sold

Adriaen Collaert, “Middle Age Under the Influence of Mars”, 1581, after Maarten de Vos

Adriaen Collaert (circa 1560–1618)

“Middle Age Under the Influence of Mars” (also known as “Middelbare leeftijd onder invloed van Mars”), 1581

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with full margins as published. This is plate 5 in the series of eight engravings (including the title plate) titled “Septem Planetæ” (aka “The Seven Planets and Seven Ages”; “De zeven planeten en zeven leeftijden”; “Septem planetae, septem hominis”), illustrating the astrological power of the seven planets over the corresponding seven stages of human life. The work is engraved after a composition by Maerten de Vos (1532–1602) and was published in Antwerp by Gerard de Jode (1516/17–1591).

This representation of Mars as the mythological God of War moves far beyond conventional battle attributes like armour, shields, and weaponry. It introduces a deeper allegorical layer, framing Mars as a personification of the ideal traits of a mature man in his prime: physical strength perfectly balanced by wisdom, foresight, and careful judgment.

The Latin couplet below the image highlights that true strength (fortis) is useless without foresight (providus) and sound judgment (discretio). In the Renaissance view of life cycles, the fifth age (roughly ages 40 to 50) is the pinnacle of human capability, wherein physical power matches intellectual maturity.

The engraving is a crisp impression with a slightly silvery tone. Aside from minor handling marks confined to the outer margins, the sheet remains in excellent condition—clean, structurally sound, and completely free from tears, folds, abrasions, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.4 x 25.3 cm
• Platemark: 30.3 x 22.3 cm
• Image borderline: 28.8 x 22.1 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (upper edge) “MARS”; (lower right) “DISCRETIO”
• Below the image borderline: (centre) “Fit DISCRETIO prudens quinta ætate virili / Prouidus et fortis MARS quibus usque valet” (Translation: “Prudent discernment develops during the fifth age of manhood, by which a foresightful and courageous Mars prevails everywhere.”); (right of centre) “5”

References:

• Hollstein (Maarten de Vos) 1370
• New Hollstein (De Jode dynasty: Gherard) 639
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1862,0712.325 —  https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1862-0712-325
• The Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1981-68 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175205.

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approximately US$234.46 / €206.56 / £176.72), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this rare, symbol-rich Master Engraving—completed just 17 years after the passing of Michelangelo—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly prepare and send a PayPal invoice for a secure and straightforward transaction.

This print has been sold

Harmen Jansz. Muller, “The Servant Buries his Talent”, c.1570, after Gerard van Groeningen (2nd copy)

Harmen Jansz. Muller (1540–1617)

“The Servant Buries his Talent” (aka “Dienaar begraaft zijn talent”), c.1570 (1565–72)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with the Arms of Amsterdam watermark, with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet of tissue-thin (Kozo) washi paper. 

This is plate 3 from the series of six engravings, “The Parable of the Talents,” after the design by Gerard van Groeningen (also known as Gerard van Groenning, Gerard P Groenning, Gerard Groenning, Gerardum Groeninghen, Gerrit van Groenwegen, Gerardo a Gruningen) (fl. 1550–1599). 

The print was first published in Antwerp in its initial state by Gerard de Jode (1509/17–1591) in “Thesaurus novi Testamenti elegantissimis iconibus expressus continens historias atque miracula doni nostri Iesu Christi” (1579–85). It was later reissued in Amsterdam in its second and final state by Claes Jansz. Visscher II (1587–1652) in “Theatrum Biblicum Hoc Est Historiae Sacrae Veteris et Novi Testamenti Tabulis Aeneis Expressae” (1646). 

This impression is from Visscher’s second state, with the addition of the biblical reference (“Matt. 25.18.”) and the number “3” below the image at the lower right corner. 

This is a strong impression. Aside from a closed tear in the upper margin, the sheet is in excellent condition for its age—free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 22.5 x 31.2 cm
• Platemark: 20.3 x 29.2 cm

Plate Numbering and Lettering:

• Within the image at lower right: “3”
• On column base at lower right: “[Artist’s monogram] F”
• Below image: “Qui vero unum acceperat abiens fodit in terram et abscondit pecuniam Domini sui. Matt. 25. 18. 3”

References:

• New Hollstein Dutch (Harmen Jansz. Muller) 51 (Ger Luijten [ed.], “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Muller Dynasty”, 1999, vol. 1, Rotterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet, p. 134, cat. no. 51)
• New Hollstein Dutch (Gerard van Groeningen) 110 (Christiaan Schuckman [comp.] 1997, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Gerard van Groeningen”, vol. 1, Rotterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet Sound and Vision Interactive, p. 146, cat. no. 110)
• Mielke 49 (H. Mielke, “Antwerpener Graphik in der 2. Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts. Der Thesaurus veteris et novi Testamenti des Gerard de Jode (1585) und seine Künstler,” in: Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte, vol. 38, no. 1, 1975, p. 82, cat. no. 49)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200564850

Price & Shipping:

AU$310 (approximately US$217.74 / €188.10/ £163.16), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this superb engraving illustrating the biblical parable from Matthew 25:18—depicting the “neglectful” servant burying a stash of money, a “talent” worth the equivalent of 16 years of labour—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice to make the purchase seamless.