Claude-Marie-François Dien, “Eucalyptus Globulus”, c. 1798, after Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Claude-Marie-François Dien (1787–1865)

Note: The plate is inscribed only with the name "Dien," so there is also the possibility that the printmaker may be Charles Dien the Elder (also known as Charles Dien père) (active ca. 1790–1830) or P. Dien (late 18th century). The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki proposes the latter.

“Eucalyptus Globulus” (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), circa 1798

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving with etching on watermarked laid paper with full margins as issued. This botanical illustration depicts the flowering and fruiting stem, with floral segments of the eucalyptus commonly known as the Tasmanian Blue Gum or fever tree. The specimen was collected by botanist Jacques Labillardière during the d'Entrecasteaux expedition to Recherche Bay, Tasmania, in 1792.

The print follows the design by Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) and is plate 13 in Jacques-Julien Houtou de La Billardière’s “Relation du voyage à la recherche de La Pérouse…” (Account of the voyage in search of La Pérouse), published in Paris in 1799 and London in 1800. The depicted specimen and the index of its details, numbered on the plate, are discussed on page 165 of volume 1—see: https://archive.org/details/b28772994_0001/page/164/mode/2up. The plate was issued separately in the volume titled “List of the Plates,” vol. 1.

The impression is strong and faultlessly printed. Aside from a hole in the upper right margin, the sheet is in excellent condition with no other significant issues.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53 x 35 cm
• Platemark: 44.9 x 30.5 cm
• Image borderline: 39.9 x 26.5 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Above the image borderline at left: “Atlas du Voyage à la recherche de la Pérouse. N^o. 13.”
• Inside the image borderline: indexing key features from “1” to “4”
• Below the image borderline: (from left to right) “P.J. Redouté del.”, “EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS.”, “Dien Scripsit”

References:

• Auckland Art Gallery: Toi o Tāmaki: https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/3216/eucalyptus-globulus
• Wellcome Collection: https://wellcomecollection.org/works/zeavx5pb
• Wellcome Collection (Charles Dien): https://wellcomecollection.org/concepts/raaj5vy6https://wellcomecollection.org/concepts/raaj5vy6
• La Billardière’s publication: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_F3RBAAAAcAAJ/page/n171/mode/2up
• Gordon Morrison [et al.], “Capturing Flora: 300 years of Australian Botanical Art”, (Exhibition Catalogue), 2012, Art Gallery of Ballarat, pp. 52–55

Price & Shipping:

AU$288 (approximately US$202.55 / €174.29 / £151), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this superb impression of a large and historically significant engraving that is the first example of this species to be published—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Charles Jacque, “Troupeau de Porcs,” 1868

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)
“Troupeau de Porcs” (Herd of Pigs), 1868

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching and drypoint, printed in a warm black ink on laid paper with wide margins. This impression is from the second state, with added details to the sky, and printed in Paris by Auguste Delâtre (1822–1907). 

The supplement to the Guiffrey catalogue (1884) describes this print (translated): “In a wild place, bordered by rocks and planted with six stunted poplars, a herd of pigs advances, the two on the right having strayed slightly; in front, a country girl holds a stick with her hands clasped behind her.” (p. 8, cat. no. 225)

The impression is richly inked and well-printed—near faultless. Aside from faint marks in the lower margin, the sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 26.4 x 34.7 cm
• Platemark: 18.1 x 23.9 cm
• Image borderline: 14 x 20.3 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline at lower left corner: “ch. Jacque/ 1868.”
• Below the image borderline: (from left to right) “CH.JACQUE,INV. ET SC.”, “TROUPEAU DE PORCS”, “IMP.DELÂTRE,PARIS.”

References:

• Guiffrey 225 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches: Supplément au Catalogue,” 1884, Paris, Jouast et Sigaux, p. 8, cat. no. 225)— https://archive.org/details/nouvelleseauxfor00guif/page/8/mode/2up
• Beraldi 433 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 189, cat. no. 433)
• IFF 133 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 117, cat. no. 328)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1874-1212-537  
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/835101

Price & Shipping:

AU$298 (approximately US$209.03 / €180.02 / £156.48), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this superb impression and a truly exemplary etching of the Barbizon School, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Crispin van de Passe II, “Reclining Female Nude”, 1643

Crispin van de Passe II (also known as Crispijn de Passe II and Crispijn van Passe II) (1594–1670)

“Reclining Female Nude” (“Liggend vrouwelijk naakt”), 1643

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper with a watermark—possibly French, featuring grapes (see W.A. Churchill no. 478)—and wide margins as issued. This engraving is an illustration from the fifth part (female nude studies) of what may be the largest early drawing book published, “La prima [-quinta] parte della luce del dipingere et disegnare …” (The first [to the fifth] part of the light of painting and drawing), also known as “Van't Light der teken en schilder konst” (From the Light of drawing and painting art). It was published in Amsterdam in 1643–44 by Jan Jansz., with Crispin van de Passe II credited as the author.

The impression is strong and flawlessly printed. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 24.4 x 37 cm
• Platemark: 19.5 x 29.3 cm
• Image borderline: 19.2 x 28.9 cm

Numbered on Plate:

• Lower-left corner: “54”
• Lower edge at centre: (partially obscured) “XII”

References:

• Archive.org offers an online view of this print within its publication context: https://archive.org/details/laprimaquintapar00pass/page/n197/mode/2up
• MFA Boston: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/523562/la-prima-quinta-parte-della-luce-del-dipingere-et-disegna;jsessionid=6B58FEA2F30EAFBE381E2390322110AF
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200240938
• Hollstein Dutch 191 (Jan Verbeek & Ilja M. Veldman [comp.], “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: De Passe [continued]”, 1974, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p.146, cat. no. 191)
• Franken 1374 (Daniel Franken & Simon Laschitzer. “L'Oeuvre Grave des Van de Passe”, 1975, Amsterdam, G. W. Hissink & Co., p. 301, cat. no. 1374)

Price & Shipping:

AU$402 (approximately US$283.3 / €244.17 / £212.62), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you wish to purchase this exceptionally fine (and rare) study of a female nude executed in the early 1640s, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Jost Amman, “To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation”, 1573

Jost Amman (aka Jost Ammon) (1539–1591)

“To Throw a Harmful Firebomb into a Battle Formation” (Ein schadtlich Feumer in ein Schlachtordnung zu werffen), 1573

Although this siege scene features the use of the customary solid cannonballs (round shot)—visible in the foreground at centre—what makes this image particularly interesting is the depiction of incendiary fire-balls (Feuerballen) being launched at the fortifications. These projectiles consist of a linen or flax pouch tightly bound with twine, filled with a combustible mixture of sulphur, saltpetre, and melted resin. Once a protruding wick is lit, these flaming balls are hurled in a high arc by heavy mortars seen in the foreground, designed to ignite the city’s interior.

Technical Details & Condition:

Woodcut on laid paper with letterpress text on the verso. The image is trimmed with a narrow margin and backed with a support sheet, providing wider margins. This woodcut is from page 148 of the third part of the German military manual, “Kriegsbuch” (War Book), by Leonhard Fronsperger (aka Leonhardt Fronsberger) (c. 1520–1575). It was printed by Martin Lechler (fl. late 1500s) and published in Frankfurt am Main by Sigmund Feyerabend (also known as Sigismund Feyrabend or Sigmund Feierabend) in 1573.

This is a strong, well-printed impression. The sheet is age-toned but otherwise in good condition, with no tears or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 13.3 x 15 cm
• Image borderline: 12.5 x 14.1 cm

References:

• Andresen 226.85v (Andreas Andresen, “Der deutschen Peintre-Graveur oder die deutschen Maler als Kupferstecher, nach ihrem Leben und ihren Werken, von dem letzten Drittel des 16. Jahrhunderts bis zum Schluss des 18. Jahrhunderts”, vol. 1, 1872–78, Leipzig, p. 365, cat. no. 226.85v)
• New Hollstein (German) (Jost Amman) IV.94.76
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1837-0616-23

Price & Shipping:

AU$237 (approximately US$167.20 / €143.57 / £124.93), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this remarkable German woodcut from the late Renaissance, 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