Harmen Jansz. Muller, “The Servant Buries his Talent”, c.1570, after Gerard van Groeningen (2nd copy)

Harmen Jansz. Muller (1540–1617)

“The Servant Buries his Talent” (aka “Dienaar begraaft zijn talent”), c.1570 (1565–72)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with the Arms of Amsterdam watermark, with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet of tissue-thin (Kozo) washi paper. 

This is plate 3 from the series of six engravings, “The Parable of the Talents,” after the design by Gerard van Groeningen (also known as Gerard van Groenning, Gerard P Groenning, Gerard Groenning, Gerardum Groeninghen, Gerrit van Groenwegen, Gerardo a Gruningen) (fl. 1550–1599). 

The print was first published in Antwerp in its initial state by Gerard de Jode (1509/17–1591) in “Thesaurus novi Testamenti elegantissimis iconibus expressus continens historias atque miracula doni nostri Iesu Christi” (1579–85). It was later reissued in Amsterdam in its second and final state by Claes Jansz. Visscher II (1587–1652) in “Theatrum Biblicum Hoc Est Historiae Sacrae Veteris et Novi Testamenti Tabulis Aeneis Expressae” (1646). 

This impression is from Visscher’s second state, with the addition of the biblical reference (“Matt. 25.18.”) and the number “3” below the image at the lower right corner. 

This is a strong impression. Aside from a closed tear in the upper margin, the sheet is in excellent condition for its age—free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 22.5 x 31.2 cm
• Platemark: 20.3 x 29.2 cm

Plate Numbering and Lettering:

• Within the image at lower right: “3”
• On column base at lower right: “[Artist’s monogram] F”
• Below image: “Qui vero unum acceperat abiens fodit in terram et abscondit pecuniam Domini sui. Matt. 25. 18. 3”

References:

• New Hollstein Dutch (Harmen Jansz. Muller) 51 (Ger Luijten [ed.], “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Muller Dynasty”, 1999, vol. 1, Rotterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet, p. 134, cat. no. 51)
• New Hollstein Dutch (Gerard van Groeningen) 110 (Christiaan Schuckman [comp.] 1997, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Gerard van Groeningen”, vol. 1, Rotterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet Sound and Vision Interactive, p. 146, cat. no. 110)
• Mielke 49 (H. Mielke, “Antwerpener Graphik in der 2. Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts. Der Thesaurus veteris et novi Testamenti des Gerard de Jode (1585) und seine Künstler,” in: Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte, vol. 38, no. 1, 1975, p. 82, cat. no. 49)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200564850

Price & Shipping:

AU$310 (approximately US$217.74 / €188.10/ £163.16), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this superb engraving illustrating the biblical parable from Matthew 25:18—depicting the “neglectful” servant burying a stash of money, a “talent” worth the equivalent of 16 years of labour—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice to make the purchase seamless.

Nicolas Dorigny, “Evangelist St Mark with His Lion,” 1707, after Domenichino

Nicolas Dorigny (also known as Sir Nicolas Dorigny) (1658–1746)

“Evangelist St Mark with His Lion,” 1707 (inscribed in plate “1707,” but dated from 1702 by the French publisher, Mariette)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on heavy laid paper, trimmed along or slightly within the platemark, and backed with a support sheet of tissue-thin (Kozo) washi paper. This print is from the series of four plates, “The Four Evangelists” (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and the design is based on a fresco painting of the same composition executed between 1622 and 1627, decorating a pendentive in the Church of Sant' Andrea della Valle in Rome by Domenichino (aka Domenico Zampieri) (1581–1641). 

For a marvellous account and photographs of the series, see Simona Albanese’s blog: http://simonaalbanese.blogspot.com/2011/02/santandrea-della-valle-domenichinos.html. 

The lower edge of the print features a Latin dedication to Charles Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1654–1730), along with the coat-of-arms of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. 

This is a strong and well-printed impression. Aside from a few pinholes and minor marks, the large etching remains in remarkably good condition for its age and size. 

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 62 x 45 cm
• Image borderline: 58.5 x 44.4 cm

Plate Lettering below the image borderline:

• (Left) “Dominicus Zampieri pinx. Romæ in Ædibus Diui Andreæ / Sup. perm. an. 1707”
• (Left of centre) “Sereniss.^mo Principi CAROLO / Humillime dedicat, et consecrate”
• (Right of centre) “Landgrauio Hassiæ &c. / Obseq. et addict. Seruus Nicolaus Dorigny”
• (Right) “N. Dorigny Gallus delin. et incid. Romæ cum priu. Sum Pont. et Reg. Chris.”

References:

• IFF 90–93 (Roger-Armand Weigert, Inventaire du Fonds Français: Graveurs du XVIIe Sièle: CHAUVEL–DUVIVIER, 1954, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 3, p. 500, nos. 90–93)— https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489228q/f512.item
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1936-0810-34
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/762415

Price & Shipping:

AU$406 (approximately US$287.57 / €248.72/ £214.52), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this spectacular etching—exemplifying the uplifting spirit of the Baroque age, inspired by Domenichino’s fresco, depicting St Mark holding a tablet next to an angel with a lively group of putti and St Mark’s lion below—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Caspar Merian, “Statt Gransee”, c. 1652

Caspar Merian (1627–1686)

“Statt Gransee,” c. 1652— A panoramic view of the historic fortified city of Gransee in Brandenburg, Germany, located approximately 55 km northwest of Berlin.

This engraving is of significant historical importance, as it documents Gransee’s medieval character and original fortifications before the devastating Great Fire of 1711. 

Principal landmarks (identified in the index at right):

• Die Kirche (A) – St. Marien Gothic parish church with its iconic twin towers
• Die Schule (B) – The Latin School, a centre of post-Reformation education lost in the 1711 fire
• Das Rathaus (C)— The Town Hall, symbolising the city's civic status
• Lindawsche Thor (D) – The Lindow Gate, pointing west; dismantled in the 19th century
• Zodenicksche Thor (E) – The Zehdenick Gate, the eastern exit toward the Havel River

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on laid paper with partial watermark—resembling the fletching of an arrow, consistent with paper used by the Merian workshop—and small margins. The sheet retains the original vertical centrefold as issued, now flattened with the fold lightly replenished and supported with tissue-thin (Kozo) washi paper. 

This etching is the lower plate of two printed on the same sheet facing page 57 in Matthäus Merian the Elder’s (1593–1650) “Topographia Electorat Brandenburgici et Ducatus Pomeraniae,” first published circa 1652 (see here: https://archive.org/details/dbc.wroc.pl.012564/page/n95/mode/2up). This impression is from the 1700 edition.

The impression is strong and well-printed. The sheet is in near pristine condition for its age—free of tears, holes, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 16.5 x 42 cm
• Platemark: 14.9 x 39.1 cm
• Outer image borderline: 14.5 x 38.7 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Upper centre: “Statt Gransee”
• Upper right (legend of sites lettered in image): “A. Die Kirche. / B. Die Schule. / C. Das Rathaus. / D. Lindawsche Thor. / E. Zodenicksche Thor.”
• Lower edge at centre: “C.M f”

Price & Shipping:

AU$244 (approximately US$171.51 / €149.78 / £129.38), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this historically significant and spectacular 17th-century panoramic view of Gransee—created before the Great Fire of 1711—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Charles Jacque, “La Rentrée”, 1864

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“La Rentrée” (The Return), 1864

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with drypoint and engraving on watermarked laid paper with generously wide margins. According to Henri Beraldi’s 1889 catalogue, this is plate 15 from a series of 25 etchings published in 1864. 

This impression was printed in Paris by François Liénard (active c. 1860s–1880s) and is in the final state. The impression is richly inked and well-printed. Aside from mounting remnants verso, the sheet is in near pristine condition—free of tears, holes, folds, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 30.6 x 47 cm
• Platemark: 16 x 20.5 cm
• Image borderline: 12.8 x 19.2 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline: (left): “ch. Jacque”
• Below the image borderline (left to right): “CH. JACQUE” / “LA RENTRÉE” / “N°. 15_3.” / “F. LIÉNARD. IMP.”

References:

•  Guiffrey 191(J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches,” 1868, Paris, Lemaire, p. 94, cat. no. 191)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1865-0429-162
• Harvard: https://hvrd.art/o/264843
• IFF 294 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 115, cat. no. 294)—https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f127.item  
• Beraldi 191 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 188, cat. no. 191—plate 15 from a series of 25 plates published in 1864)

Price & Shipping:

AU$254 (approximately US$180.86 / €156.57 / £135.23), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this superb impression of an exemplary Barbizon School etching—capturing a poignant moment of rural life as a startled hen takes flight to escape an approaching flock of sheep—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold