Jan Luyken, “Announcement to the Shepherds”, 1708

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“Announcement to the Shepherds” (aka “The Angel Announces the Birth of Jesus Christ to the Shepherds”, 1708, published by Jan Covens (aka Johannes Covens) (1697–1774) and his brother-in-law, Corneille Mortier (aka Cornelis Mortier) (fl.1688–c.1708) in c.1708 as plate 40 with Dutch and French captions to “Verbeeldingen der Historiën des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments” (Representations of the History of the Old and New Testament), in Amsterdam.

Etching on fine laid paper with a flattened centrefold backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 42.1 x 51.5 cm; (plate) 34.5 x 45cm; (image borderline) 33 x 44cm.

Inscribed in faded ink by an old hand within the blank writing area at lower right corner: [possibly} “St Peter”.

Lettered below the image borderline: (left) “Edit. à J.Covens et C. Mortier.”; (left of centre) “De Engel verkondigt de Geboorte J:C:aan de Herders. Luc.II.v.8.”; (right of centre) “l'Ange' Annonce la Naissance de J:C: aux Bergers. Luc.II. v.8.”; (right) “Johannes Luyken Inv: et Fecit./ 40.”.

Van Eeghen 3722 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 663, cat. no. 3722 [see https://archive.org/details/hetwerkvanjanen01kellgoog/page/662/mode/2up]).

Van Eeghen (1905) offers the following description of this print: (transl.) “In the foreground on the left the cattle, on the right the shepherds, to whom the announcement is made by an angel who emerges from the cloud that occupies the upper left part of the print and that is completely occupied by innumerable inhabitants of heaven. On the right in the foreground a spot has been kept completely white, apparently to be used for an inscription.” (p.663).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200396198.

Condition: a strong and well-printed (lifetime) impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate with the centrefold of publication flattened and laid upon an archival support of millennium quality washi paper. Beyond the slight ridge of the flattened centrefold and an ink inscription by an old hand within the blank writing space at the lower right corner, the sheet is in an excellent condition for its large size and considerable age.

I am selling this huge and visually arresting etching showing heaven opening in a burst of light and the angel, Gabriel, announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds attending their flocks—note how many of the animals (viz. cows, sheep and goats) also turn their heads to the startling event—for AU $274 (currently US $170.44/ EUR 165.72/ GBP137.39 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 $274) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkable etching executed with extraordinary detail, 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