Adolf van der Laan, “Arcadian landscape with Shepherds and Two Women”, c.1721, after Glauber

Adolf van der Laan (aka Adriaen van der Laan; Andries van der Laan) (c.1690–1742)

“Arcadian landscape with Shepherds and Two Women”, c.1721, possibly from the series of forty plates, “Italian and German landscapes” (Hollstein German 70–109), after Jan Glauber (aka Johannes Glauber; Joannes Glauber; [nickname] Polidoro or Polydor) (1646-1726), published in Amsterdam by Leonard Schenk (aka Leon Schenk; Leonard Schenck) (fl.1720–1746) in various books of prints between 1710 and 1747.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art describes this print bound in a book of thirty-six plates:  https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/23315. Note that the Rijksmuseum holds a title plate to a published series with thirty plates (see http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.134564) and advises that another “state of this [title plate] print is included in a forty-part series with representations of Italian and German landscapes, after Johannes Glauber” (ibid.).

Etching on laid paper with wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 35.9 x 45.5 cm; (plate) 24.3 x 36.7 cm; (image borderline) 23.5 x 36 cm.

Hollstein German 70–109 (possibly) (Robert Zijlma [comp.] 1975, “German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts, ca. 1400–1700: Georg (Jörg) to after Johann Andreas Graf”, vol. 10, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, pp. 127–130, cat. nos. 70–109).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print: (Transl.) “Arcadian river landscape with shepherds and two women with [laundry?], on the right a decorative vase on a pedestal. The print is possibly part of a 40-part series of prints with representations of Italian and German landscapes” (http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.134590).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with wide margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains (but there are minor marks in the margins).

I am selling this large and finely executed etching exemplifying the classical spirit with a strong stylistic leaning to Nicolas Poussin’s (1594–1665) landscapes—mindful that Jan Glauber who designed this plate executed the series, “Six Landscapes after Poussin” (TIB 7.20–7.25])—for a total cost of AU$316 (currently US$210.68/EUR190.73/GBP160.82 at the time of 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$316) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this curiously engaging landscape etching underpinned by a narrative of symbolism waiting to be read—note for example (and please be mindful that the following points of interest in the composition are where my eyes paused and may have no symbolic significance at all): a shepherd seated on an ancient monument topped by a huge urn (possibly a sarcophagus which could be a reminder that death is inevitable); two washerwomen engrossed in conversation while walking along a path watched by the shepherd resting on a potential vanitas symbol; two figures on the right of the monument/sarcophagus with one wading in a stream (an activity possibly symbolising spiritual nourishment) while a seated companion watches—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.