(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

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.

Jan Collaert II, “Hunting Quails and Rabbits”, c.1600, after Jan van der Straet

Jan Collaert II (aka Jan Collaert; Hans Collaert) (c.1561–c.1620)

“Hunting Quails and Rabbits”, c.1600, a rare first state impression of plate 69 (before numbering) from the series of 104 plates, “Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium. Pugnae Bestiariorum: & mutuae Bestiarum”, after a drawing by Jan van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus; Ioannes Stradanus) (1523–1605) in the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and a preliminary sketch in the National Design Museum in New York (inv. 1901-39-295v), with Latin text by Cornelis Kiliaan (c1529–1607), published by Philips Galle (aka Philippus Gallaeus; Philippe Galle) (1537–1612) in Antwerp.

Engraving on laid paper trimmed with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 20.6 x 28.3cm; (plate) 19.8 x 27.2cm; (image borderline) 18.1 x 27.1cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline along lower edge: (left) “Ioan. Stradanus inuent.”; (left of centre) Ioan. Collaert Sculp.”; (right) “Phls Galle excud.”

Lettered in plate below the image borderline in two columns of two lines of Latin: (centre) “Nexa Coturnicibut Venator retia tendit./ Cum segetes messæ: Plaudo latrante, pætentem// Grex sese simul in campum velociter infert;/ Collectas Auceps deprendit casse volucres.” (The hunter stretches his nets for the quails./ When the harvest is reaped: I applaud, barking, lamenting// The flock quickly rushes into the field together;/ The birdcatcher catches the birds gathered.)

State i (of iii) before the addition of the number (“69”)

New Hollstein 521 (Johannes Stradanus) (Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2008, The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Johannes Stradanus, part. 3, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, p. 196; [illus. p. 229], cat. no. 521); New Hollstein 1523 (Collaert Dynasty) (Ann Diels & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2005–06, The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Collaert Dynasty, vol. 8, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, cat. no. 1523).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Plate 69, Quail and Rabbit Hunt; on a corn field with sheaves of corn, two men on horseback, coming from the right, are about to drag a net over a covey of quails; to the left, two men draw a net over a rabbit; on the horizon, to the left, a church is seen, while to the right, a farm building is seen” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1957-0413-77 [inv. 1957,0413.77]).

See also the Rijksmuseum’s description of this print: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200175668.

Condition: a strong and near faultless impression with small margins around the platemark. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, abrasions, losses or significant stains and is laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper providing wide margins.

I am selling this exceptionally rare lifetime impression from the first state—interestingly the New Hollstein mentions only two impressions of this print from the first state held in museum repositories (but I may have misunderstood the advice [see “Johannes Stradanus, part 3, p. 196, cat. no. 521, SI]— for AU $319 in total (currently US $198.43/ EUR 190.36/ GBP 157.69 at the time of posting this print) 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 $319) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this exceptionally fine late Renaissance period engraving showing the hunting technique in the 16^th century for catching quail and rabbits, 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

Philips Galle’s engraving, “The Battle at Marciano”, 1583, after Jan van der Straet

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

“The Battle at Marciano” (TIB title) (aka “Slag bij Marciano”), 1583, plate 4 from the series of 20 plates, “The History of the Medici” (TIB title) (aka “Mediceae Familiae Rerum Feliciter Gestarum Victoriae et Triumphi” [The Medici Family's Successful Achievements of Victory and Triumph]), after the design by Jan van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus; Ioannes Stradanus) (1523–1605), published in Antwerp by Philips Galle.

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

Size: (sheet) 22.2 x 30.5 cm; (platemark) 22 x 30.2 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (upper right) “MARCIANVM”; (lower left) “4/ Johan Stradanus inventor/ Phls Galle fecit”; (lower centre) “Ad Marcianum, pro castris Gassi vario praelio contendentes Caesariamis et Aeihruscis/ militibus se minime pares este, suo magmo malo experiuntur.” ([transl.] “To Marcianus, for the camp of Gassi, contending in a varied battle, they are no match for the soldiers of Caesariam and Aeihrusci”. My apologies if my transcribing of the text has inaccuracies).

TIB 5601.102:8 (Arno Dolders [ed.] 1987, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists: Philips Galle”, vol. 56, Supplement, New York, Abaris Books, p. 391, cat. no. [5601].102:8); New Hollstein (Stradanus) 364 (Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2008, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Johannes Stradanus”, Amsterdam, Sound and Vision, p. 45; p. 56, cat. no. 364); New Hollstein (Galle) 495 (Manfred Sellink & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2001, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Philips Galle”, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision, p. 195; p. 209, cat. no. 495).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print: (transl.) “The Battle of Marciano in 1554. The army of De'Medici under the command of Gian Giacomo De'Medici versus the French army of Pietro Strozzi. In the background the city of Marciano. In the foreground a river god with a cornucopia. The print has a Latin caption and is part of a series about the family history of the De' Medici family” (http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.490952).

See also the description offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Ii-5-160.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression trimmed around the image borderline and laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. Beyond a replenished hole in the upper left, the sheet is in a very good condition for its considerable age with no significant stains.

I am selling this visually engaging 1554 battle scene with the interesting feature of figures loading and firing muskets—at first I thought that this may be an anachronism, but I now understand that there were muzzle-loaded long guns in the early 1500s—for the total cost of AU$333 (currently US$216.82/EUR198.20/GBP170.01 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$333) 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