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Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Philips Galle, “Daniel Refuses to Worship Bel”, 1565, after Maarten van Heemskerck

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

“Daniel Refuses to Worship Bel”, 1565, the first plate from the series of 10 plates, “The story of Daniel, Bel and the Dragon” (New Hollstein 226–235) after the design by Maarten van Heemskerck (aka Martin Heemskerk; Maarten van Veen) (1498–1574)—a related drawing is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum—initially published in Antwerp by Hieronymus Cock (aka Jérome Cock) (c1517/18–1570) and later (as is the case with this impression) by Theodoor Galle (aka Theodor Galle; Dirck Galle) (1571–1633).

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

Size: (sheet) 20.6 x 25.2cm; (image borderline) 19.8 x 25cm.

Inscribed in plate along the lower edge: (left) “Martinus van heemskerck/ inuentor/ Theodorus Galle excudeba”; (centre) “Daniel Regi suo Cijro declara se simulachra manufacta non coler” (Daniel declared to his king Cyrus that he would not worship man-made images); (right) “.1.”.

New Hollstein 93 (Manfred Sellink & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2001, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Philips Galle”, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision, cat. no. 93).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print: (transl.) “King Cyrus accuses Daniel of not honouring the god Bel. He asks his priests to prove that Bel does indeed eat the food that is laid out for him every night. In front of the throne, two jesters are playing on the ground. On the right are the priests, on the left is Daniel, who points to the temple of Bel.” (https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200384738).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_D-5-85 (inv. D,5.85).

Condition: a strong and well-printed (near faultless) impression trimmed along the platemark and laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. The sheet is in a near pristine condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

Note that an earlier backing sheet supporting this impression (since replaced) had the collector’s stamp of the Veste Coburg (Castle of Coburg) collection.
Based on information about this stamp offered by the British Museum (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG180134), I understand that this particular print was sold at the C G Boerner's auction of 10 May 1929.

I am selling this marvellously strong impression for the total cost of AU $343 (currently US $213.11/ EUR 204.78/ GBP 169.77 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 $343) 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












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