Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Thursday, 27 February 2025

Simon Frisius, “Village in a Mountain Landscape”, 1614, after Matthijs Bril

Simon Frisius (aka Simon Wynhoutsz Frisius; Simon de Vries) (c.1580–1628)

“Village in a Mountain Landscape”, 1614, a lifetime impression from the first state (of three) before numbering (as plate 6?) from the series of twenty-seven plates, “Topographia Variarum Regionum” (Various topographical views), after the design by Matthijs Bril (aka Mattheus Bril; Mattheus Brill; Mattheus Brillo) (c.1550–1583) and (following the description by the Rijksmuseum) Josse van Liere (aka Joos van Lier; Jodocus Lireus) (?–1583), published in The Hague by Hendrik Hondius I (1573–1650).

Etching on fine laid paper trimmed around the image borderline with restorations and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (unevenly trimmed sheet) 10.6 x 15.5 cm; (image borderline) 9.7 x 15.5 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (centre) “Mathias bril Inventor Hhondius excudit.”

State i (of iii) before numbering

New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 143.I.

The Rijksmuseum and the British Museum offer descriptions of this print: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200193124; https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1947-0319-7-15.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression unevenly trimmed. The lower right edge has been replenished, otherwise there are with no significant stains. The sheet is laid onto a support of millennium quality washi paper providing wide margins.

I selling this exceptionally rare first state impression of this marvellous jewel of a small etching for AU$322 (equivalent to approximately US$202.80, EUR 193.61, or GBP 160.15 at the time of listing) and includes Express Mail Service (EMS) postage and handling to any worldwide destination. Please note that any import duties or taxes levied by the destination country are the responsibility of the buyer and are not included in the purchase price. Payment is requested in Australian dollars (AU$322).

If you are interested in purchasing this superb and seldom seen old-master print on the art market, 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