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.

Gérard de Lairesse, “Venus Fills Cupid's Quiver”, c.1677–80

Gérard de Lairesse (1640–1711)

“Venus Fills Cupid's Quiver” (aka “Venus Replenishing Cupid's Quiver with Arrows”; “Venus and Cupid at the Forge of Vulcan”), c.1677–80, plate three from the series, of four plates, “The Life of Venus” (aka “Venus and Cupid”), published by Nicolaes Visscher II (aka Nicolai Vischer; Claes Claesz Visscher) (1649–1702). Based on the number inscribed at lower right (“56”), this impression is from the “Opus Elegantissimum” edition of 104 plates, published in Amsterdam by Gerard Valck (aka Gerard Valk) (1651/2–1726) (see the Curator of the British Museum’s comment about this edition regarding the title plate to the edition: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1929-1112-2-1).

Etching on laid paper, trimmed along the platemark and backed by a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 24.1 x 16.6cm; (plate) 21.4 x 17.2cm; (image borderline) 20.8 x 16.6cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “3”; (centre) “Per Gerardum de Lairesse inv: et sculp: et per Nicolaum Visscher edit: cum Privil: Ord: General: Belgii Fæderati.”; (right) “56”.

Hollstein Dutch 29; Timmers 29

The British Museum offers the following description of this print (not reproduced): “Venus filling the quiver of Cupid with arrows which are being forged behind her; a plate from a series of four on Venus and Cupid. c.1677/80” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1929-1112-2-52).

See also the descriptions of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum and Harvard Art Museums: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200528267; https://hvrd.art/o/339704.

Condition: a well-printed impression with narrow margins around the image borderline and laid onto archival (millennium-quality) washi paper that provides generous margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this very beautiful etching that to my eyes seems sculpted by light, for the total cost of AU$333 (approximately US$217.87, EUR 186.35, or GBP 161.37), this includes worldwide express postage and handling. Please note that any applicable import duties or taxes imposed by the destination country are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this sensitively executed etching, 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

Jan Glauber, “Father Time”, c,1686, after Gérard de Lairesse

Jan Glauber (aka Joannes Glauber; Johannes Glauber; Polidoro; Polydor) (1646–c.1726)

“Father Time” (aka “Sic Omnia Ruunt”; “Everything Comes to an End”), c.1686 (1661–1726), plate 28 from a series of thirty plates, “Historical and Mythological Subjects”, after a drawing in red chalk by Gérard de Lairesse (1640–1711), “Le Temps, figure allégorique pour bas-relief”, in the collection of the Louvre (see https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl020107529 [note that there are arguments regarding attribution]) and a lost painting by the same artist, published in Amsterdam by Leonard Schenk (aka Leonard Schenck; Leon Schenk) (fl.1720-1746).

Etching on laid paper (with watermark).

Size: (sheet) 42.8 x 30.5cm; (plate) 35.8 x 24.8cm; (image borderline) 34.9 x 23.7cm.

Lettered and numbered in plate within the image borderline: (lower centre) “Sic Omnia Ruunt”; (lower right corner) “28”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “Ger. Laires Pin. et Delin.”; (centre) “Leon: Schenk exc.”; (right) “Joannes Glauber Sculp.”

State iv (of iv) with the addition of Leonard Schenk as the publisher and the plate number, “28”.

Hollstein German 67–4(4)

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum and the Rijksmuseum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Sheepshanks-4159; https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200197089.

Condition: a strong impression. Beyond a trace of a brown ink notation shining through from recto in the margin at the upper right and small surface marks within the platemark, the sheet is in a very good condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this large and visually arresting etching showing Father Time with his wings outstretched, scythe in hand and an hourglass on his head, borne aloft by a menagerie of wild animals, for AU$324 (approximately US$208.32, EUR 182.42, or GBP 157.90), including express mail shipping worldwide.  Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this rare etching, 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