Jan Sadeler I's engraving, “Speculum Sacerdotum”, 1597

Jan Sadeler I (aka Johannes Sadeler; Johann Sadeler) (1550–1600)

“Speculum Sacerdotum” (aka “Christus Sacerdotes Alloquitur”; “All Saints Day”), 1597, after the design by the intermediary draughtsman, Peter de Witte (aka Peter de Wit; Pietro Candido; Petrus Candid) (c1548–1628), oringinally published in 1597 by Nicolo Moretti (fl.1597) with privilege by Rudolf II of Habsburg (German Emperor) in Venice. This impression was published in 1610 by Giovanni Alberti (fl.1605–10) (see Petrarch Exegesis in Renaissance Italy Database for more information about this printer/publisher: https://petrarch.mml.ox.ac.uk/persons/giovanni-alberti) and Justus Sadeler (aka Iustus Sadeler) (1583–1620).

Engraving with letterpress text below the print on laid paper, backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 29.1 x 35.5 cm; (plate) 20.4 x 28.8 cm.

Lettered on plate above the image borderline: (center) “SPECVLVM SACERDOTVM.”

Inscribed on plate along the lower edge: (centre) “Cū priuil: sac: Cæs: Mai.’tis Joā. Sadeler

Petrus Candid figuravuit“, fecit note „...Joa. Sadeler ft / Petrus Candid. figurauit.”

Letterpress text printed below the platemark of the engraving: (centre) “CHRISTVS SACERDOTES ALLOQVITVR”; (four columns) Piscatores hominū[m] ... stolam immortalem. / FINIS. / IN VENETIA, Appresso Gio: Alberti. / Ad Instantia di Iusto. Sadeler. 1610."

Hollstein Dutch 464 (Dieuwke de Hoop Scheffer [comp.] & Karel Gerard Boon [ed.] 1980, “Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: Aegidius Sadeler to Raphael Sadeler II: text”, vol. 21, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co., p. 157, cat. no. 464); TIB 7001.434 (Isabelle de Ramaix 2001, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Johan Sadeler I”, vol. 70, Part 2 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 312, cat. no. 434).

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print and the letterpress Latin text:

(transl.) “The Catholic clergy (including the pope, the cardinals and the bishops) kneel before the appearance of Christ in heaven. Around Christ in the clouds the twelve apostles. The print has a Latin caption about how the life of Christ can serve as a model for earthly life.”

(http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168614)

The British Museum advises in their description of this print that it is a “broadside on the model of a pious life …”

(https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1539155&partId=1&searchText=Speculum+Sacerdotum&page=1)

Condition: a crisp early impression showing almost no sign of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in superb condition (i.e. there are no tears, folds, holes, abrasions, significant stains—there is a minor handling mark at the lower right edge and a few dots—or foxing) and is laid on a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this marvellous example of the period style known as Northern Mannerism—note for example the theatrical lighting, the elegance of the figures’ gestures and the grand sweep of the composition—for AU$320 (currently US$223.87/EUR197.14/GBP176.73 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this spectacular Renaissance period print, 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