Unidentified master engraver of the early 1600s, “Virgin Nursing the Infant Christ with Joseph”, 1620

Unidentified master engraver of the early 1600s

“Virgin Nursing the Infant Christ with Joseph”, 1620 (date inscribed in plate at lower right)

Note that the Latin inscription beneath the image, which translates to “The Virgin Mother embraces the born child as parent,” offers insight into the somewhat unconventional depiction of the infant Christ. The portrayal presents a complex amalgamation: the infant appears both as a vulnerable child and as an adult Saviour. His stretching upward towards the Virgin’s face may symbolise his dual nature—simultaneously innocent and divine—highlighting the profound mystery of his incarnate form.

Technical Details & Condition:
Engraving on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet to provide wide margins and ensure stability. The impression is strong and crisply printed, with minimal signs of wear to the printing plate, suggesting that this is a lifetime impression. Beyond general age-toning and a tear/fracture in the margin at left, the sheet is in good condition with no significant stains or other issues.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 18.6 x 14 cm
• Plate mark: 18.1 x 13.3 cm
• Inner image borderline: 15.5 x 13.2 cm

Plate Lettering:
In the text box below the image, lettered in four lines of Latin and the date:
“VIRGO. NATA PARENS NATVM COMPLEXA PARENTEM / QVI CÆLVM. TERRAS SYDERAQ ALTA REGIT / VIRGINEIS DOMINVM LACTANS FERT MATER IN VLMS. / QVOD NATVRA STVPET. SCVLPTA FIGVRA DOCET. / 1620”

(“The Virgin Mother embraces the born child as parent / Who rules the heaven, the earth, and the starry high / The mother carries the Lord nursing in her virgin arms / Which nature marvels at; the sculpted figure teaches”)

Price & Shipping:
AU$287 (approximately US$185.34 / €160.73 / £141.26), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this early master engraving of the Holy Family — and note how the artist draws in the viewer as an active participant in the scene through Joseph’s gaze — please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase. 

This print has been sold

Stefano della Bella, “Fox Standing in Profile Facing Left”, c. 1641

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)

“Fox Standing in Profile Facing Left,” circa 1641
Plate 20 from the series Diversi Animali (Various Animals), comprising 25 plates including the title plate.

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin around the platemark. The impression is strong and crisply printed.
This is a lifetime impression of state iii (of iii), with the publisher’s address details of Pierre Mariette I (c. 1603–1657) erased from the former state.
The sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 8.7 x 11.4 cm
• Plate mark: 8.4 x 11.1 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Lower left: “20 Stef. della Bella fecit”
• Lower centre: “Cum priuilegio”

References:

• De Vesme/Massar 706 (Alexandre de Vesme, revised by Phyllis Dearborn Massar, 1971, Stefano della Bella: Catalogue Raisonné, New York, Collectors Editions, [text] p. 112, cat. no. 706, [ill.] p. 135).
  De Vesme/Massar describes this print: (transl.) “A fox looking to the left. Towards the background, on the left, another fox seen from behind.” (p. 112)
• The British Museum describes this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-0811-597 [BM inv.no. 1877,0811.597].

Price & Shipping:
AU$266 (approximately US$172 / €149.28 / £131.30), including worldwide express shipping.
Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exquisite etching of a fox in profile, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

François Jollain, “Title Page of “Animalia ad Vivum Delineata’”, 1688, after Antonio Tempesta

François Jollain I (also known as François Iollain) (1641–1704) and/or in collaboration with François Gérard Jollain (circa 1660–1723)

Note: Some sources cite Gérard Jollain I (also known as Gérard Iollain) (fl. 1630s–1683) as the engraver of this plate. However, the dates associated with this artist do not align with the inscription “1688” on the plate.

Title Page of “Animalia ad Vivum Delineata” (Animals Drawn from Life), 1688, after Antonio Tempesta (c. 1555–1630). Published in Paris by Jollain—possibly François Gérard Jollain, as the publisher’s address corresponds with this artist-publisher—in 1688.

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraved on fine laid paper with partial watermark, trimmed with a narrow margin around the platemark. The impression is strong and well-printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 12.7 x 16.5 cm
• Plate mark: 12.4 x 16.2 cm
• Image border: 12.2 x 15.9 cm

Plate Lettering:

On the title banderole:
“ANIMALIA/ ad vivum Delineata et Œr i/ Impressa, Studio et Arte/ Antonii Tempeste/ Livre D'animaux/ Designez et Grauez d’après/ Nature par Ant. Tempeste/ ce vendent A Paris chez Lollain/ Rue St. Jacques à la nfan lessu.”
(Note: the address may refer to the printery at St. Jacques à l’Enfant Jésus, Paris.)
Date inscribed: “1688”.
Please note that there may be minor reading errors in the transcription.

Price & Shipping:

AU$276 (approximately US$178.25 / €154.74 / £136.13), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this seldom-seen title page engraving, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Charles Jacque, “Porte d’Augerge”, 1849

Charles Jacque (aka Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)
“Porte d’Augerge” (Inn Door), 1849
Plate 11 from the series “20 subjects composed and etched by Ch. Jacque” (“20 sujets composés et gravés à l'eau-forte par Ch. Jacques”)

Technical Details & Condition:

An original etching on wove paper, printed in a cool black ink with a subtle plate tone. The impression is strong and well-printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 20.9 x 24.3 cm
• Plate: 15.3 x 17.4 cm
• Image borderline: 12.6 x 15 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Upper left corner: “Ch. Jacque 1849. X^bre.^”

References:

• Guiffrey 88 (J.-J. Guiffrey 1868, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches”, Paris, Lemaire, pp. 63–64, cat. no. 88 [see https://archive.org/details/luvredechjacque00guifgoog/page/n74/mode/2up])

Guiffrey describes this scene: (transl.) “In front of the door of an inn, raised a few steps above street level, is a rider in a smock on a rustic saddle, holding his hat and whip in his right hand and bringing to his mouth the glass the girl has brought him. Above the inn door, a sign from which hangs a pitcher. At the bottom of the stairs, a broken jug. In the background, to the left, the thatched cottages of a village and in front of them, three peasants and two hens.” (pp. 72–73)

• IFF 235 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève 1960, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG”, vol. 11, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p 112, cat. no. 235 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f124.item])
• The British Museum gives a description of this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1851-0802-88 (BM inv. no. 1851,0802.88).

Price & Shipping:
AU$269 (approximately US$173.73 / €159.81 / £132.64), including worldwide express shipping.
Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptional etching, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’m happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold