Johannes Visscher, “Fountain Among Antique Ruins”, c. 1660, after Nicolaes Berchem

Johannes Visscher (also known as Jan de Visscher) (1633/34–1712)

“Fountain Among Antique Ruins”, circa 1660

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on buff-coloured laid paper, unevenly trimmed around the platemark and professionally mounted to a secondary sheet of archival-quality washi paper providing stable structural support and wide margins for mounting.

This print is Plate 4 from the four-part series Pastoral Landscapes (Hollstein 99–102). While the first state was published in Amsterdam by Frederick de Wit (1629/30–1706), this impression represents the second and final state (of two). In this definitive second state, published by Justus Danckerts (1635–1701), rich clouds have been added to the sky, and the original publisher’s address has been burnished out.

The composition is engraved in reverse after a 1654 black chalk and grey-brown wash drawing by Nicolaes Berchem (also known as Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchen; Niclas Berghem; Claes Berighem; Nicolaes Pietersz. Berrighem) (1620–1683), currently preserved in the collection of the British Museum (inv. no. 1895,0915.1110 [https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1895-0915-1110]).

The impression is strong and clear, demonstrating excellent contrast with minimal signs of wear to the copper plate. Aside from a small, professionally replenished spot and some age-related creasing along an old central fold, the sheet remains in excellent condition—free of tears or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 19.9 x 26.2 cm (slightly uneven)
• Platemark: 19.5 x 26 cm
• Image borderline: 18.5 x 25.2 cm

In-Plate Lettering (Below the image):

• Left of centre: “CBerghem delin:”
• Right of centre: “J. Visscher fecit”
• Right: “4”

References:

• Hollstein: Dutch 102.II (Christiaan Schuckman, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700”, Vol. XLI, 1992, p. 70, cat. no. 102.II)
• Albertina Museum: Object number H/I/64/97 (https://sammlungenonline.albertina.at/objects/489194)
• British Museum: Museum number F,2.32 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_F-2-32)

Price & Shipping:

AU$267 (approx. US$186.95 / €162.96 / £138.12), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this bucolic scene of 17th-century life—where herdsmen tend to livestock drinking from a classical fountain ruin, while in the foreground a cow bellows contrasted with a resting shepherd cradling his rustic shawm—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless, protected transaction.

This print has been sold 

Ferdinand Staeger, “Self-Portrait”, circa 1930

Ferdinand Staeger (1880–1976)

“Self-Portrait” (“Selbstbildnis”), circa 1930

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with plate tone printed in brown ink on heavy cream wove paper, hand-signed in pencil by the artist, titled as a self-portrait (“Selbstbildnis”), and inscribed as an artist’s proof (“Probedruck”) numbered two of only three impressions (“2/III”).

This is a richly inked, and strong impression with carefully wiped plate tone giving a warm moody glow complementing the dramatic chiaroscuro modelling of the face. The sheet is in excellent condition—near pristine—free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant signs of handling and stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 35 x 26.2 cm
• Platemark: 19.5 x 14.5 cm

In-Plate Inscription:

• In mirror at lower left: “VERITAS”—truth (factual accuracy)

Pencil Inscriptions:

• Left: “Probedruck” (proof print) “2/III” 
• Centre: “Selbstbildnis” (Self-Portrait)
• Right on lower corner of the image: “F Staeger” (artist’s signature)

References:

• Muschler, Conrad Reinhold. Ferdinand Staeger: Eine Monographie. Leipzig: Verlag Max Koch, 1925. (Note: This remains the definitive authoritative monograph published during his prime printmaking years)
• Leisching, Julius. Ferdinand Staeger. Vienna: Artur Wolf, 1913. (Note: Documenting his first master portfolio of 10 original etchings that launched his printmaking career)
• The Cultural Foundation of German Expellees: Biography of Ferdinand Staeger: https://kulturstiftung.org/biographien/staeger-ferdinand-3  

Commentary on the Artist:

Ferdinand Staeger is one of the major Austro-German graphic artists of the early-to-mid 20th century. His work is strongly connected to the Symbolist movement. An earlier example of his graphic work may be seen in the illustrations for “Deutsche Gedichte: mit Schattenbildern”, 1908 (German Poems: with Shadow Pictures; see  https://archive.org/details/deutschegedichte00frau/page/12/mode/thumb) epitomising the elegance of his designs. His later work, by contrast, is more reliant on dense and intricate line work executed with the same technical precision as his earlier designs.

This self-portrait (Selbstbildnis), with the depicted hand-mirror inscribed with the Latin word “VERITAS” (Truth) clarifies the artist’s intent: to capture an uncompromised truthful visual documentation of both his physical features and psychological mindset without vanity or wishful idealisation.

Price & Shipping:

AU$336 (approx. US$234.88 / €205.19 / £175.10), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this psychologically penetrating self-portrait of an artist—the hand-glass inscribed with “VERITAS” testifying to the artist’s intent to represent himself as truthfully as he is able—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless and protected transaction.

Benoît Audran I, “The Crucifixion (Consummatum Est)”, pub. c. 1815, after Poussin

Benoît Audran I (also known as Bened Audran) (1661–1721)

“The Crucifixion (Consummatum Est)” (or, as titled on the plate: “Consummatum est: C'est en ce jour que tout est consōmé” [It is finished: It is on this day that everything is consumed]), later printing published circa 1789 or around 1811–1820

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on heavy paper—possibly laid paper, as suggested by the faintly visible chain lines—slightly unevenly trimmed around the platemark and professionally mounted to a secondary support sheet of archival-quality washi paper.

This print was initially published unsigned by the artist, with the inscription: “a Paris chez Audran rue S. Iacques aux 2. Piliers d'or auec priuil du Roy.” See the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum’s collection: https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/89/item_DDZ2SG4ZFHCRVH3FMMYH3GNLROFANKUK?lang=.  

This impression was published in Paris by Pierre Jean (active 1784–1820), at his firm’s established address: “rue Jean de Beauvais, No. 10”. The secularised spelling of the street name suggests a publication date in the later 1811–1820 period, during which Jean resumed publication after 1789.

The design is based on Nicolas Poussin’s (1594–1665) painting, “Crucifixion” (1645–46), formerly in the collection of Lord Dundas and now held at the Wadsworth Atheneum (Connecticut). It may also follow the 1674 etching titled “The Crucifixion” by Claudine Bouzonnet Stella (also known as Claudia Bouzonnet-Stella, 1636–1697). For details of this etching, see the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1157068/the-crucifixion-print-stella-claudine/.

The impression is strong, crisp, and evenly printed. Aside from minor restored tears around the edges (some entering the image), the sheet remains in very good condition—free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet/Platemark: 28.4 x 37.7 cm
• Image: 25.6 x 35.7 cm

In-Plate Lettering below the image:

• Left: “Poussin pinxit”
• Centre: “Consummatum est: / St. Jean XIX. / C'est en ce jour que tout est consōmé.”
• Right of Centre: “A Paris chez Jean. rue Jean de Beauvais. N^o. 10.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$253 (approx. US$175.63 / €154.08 / £131.48), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this eerily dark and turbulent engraving capturing the final words of Christ’s agony on the cross, “Consummatum est” (It is finished), please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless and protected transaction.

This print has been sold