Jacob Matham, "Fortitude", 1593, after Goltzius

Jacob Matham (1571–1631)

"Fortitude" (aka “La Force”; “Kracht”), 1593, plate 6 from the series of seven engravings, “The Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins” (aka “The Virtues [in niche]”), after artist’s teacher and stepfather, Hendrik Goltzius (aka Hendrick Goltzius) (1558–1617).

Engraving on laid paper with a thread margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet providing wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 32.6 x 16.7 cm.

Numbered and lettered in plate: (within the image borderline at left) “6”; (within the image borderline at right) “[ligature monogram of Hendrik Goltzius] HG Inue.”; (below the image borderline in two lines of Latin verse) “Strennua in aduersis, et pro iustoq[ué], fideq[ué],/ Dura pati Fortis supero indefessa ferendo. F. E.” (Franco Estius [fl.1580s–1594]—the author of the Latin verse).

TIB 4.130 (164) (Walter L Strauss 1980, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists”, vol. 4, New York, Abaris Books, p. 119, cat. no. 130 [164]); New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 45 (George Shepard Keyes [Comp.] 1980, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Jan Saenredam to Roelandt Savery”, vol. 23, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p. 38, cat. no. 45).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.150596.

The curator of the BM also gives the following information about the series:

“This is one from a series of seven numbered plates by Jacob Matham (New Hollstein 150-156) after Goltzius …. The set was first published by Goltzius in Haarlem; then by Claes Jansz Visscher in Amsterdam (before 1652); and finally, by Jochem Ottens. Seven preparatory drawings by Goltzius are in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, inv.nos.Dr.975.2-8 (Reznicek 89-95)” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1857-0613-510). 

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with a thread margin around the image borderline and laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. Beyond a tear on the lower edge and a flattened fold on the left edge, the sheet is in a very good condition for its considerable age with no significant stains.

I am selling this very beautiful engraving showing one of the four Cardinal Virtues (viz. prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance), for the total cost of AU$390 (currently US$250.11/EUR229.17/GBP196.12 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$390) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this finely executed engraving showing the personification of strength holding a column, 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