Lucas Kilian's engraving, “Wilhelm von Welsperg, Bishop of Brixen”, 1632

Lucas Kilian (aka Lukas Kilian) (1579–1637)

“Wilhelm von Welsperg, Bishop of Brixen” (aka “Rm[us] et Illm[us] D D. Gvilielmvs D. G. Episcopvs et Princeps Brixinensis” [title on plate]), 1632, published in Augsburg,

Engraving on laid paper trimmed along platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 33.6 x 25.1 cm; (image borderline) 33.4 x 24.8 cm.

Lettered on plate: (oval portrait frame) “RM[us]. ET ILLM[us] D D. GVILIELMVS D. G. EPISCOPVS ET PRINCEPS BRIXINENSIS.”; (four lines of Latin on tablet below portrait) “'Viua mihi ueteris .../ …/ …/ … comifafur Amor.”;  (on shell ornament below tablet) “Lucas Kilian. sculpsit. A.o 1632.”

State i (of i) lifetime impression based on the crisp line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate.

Hollstein German 481 (Fedja Anzelewsky [ed.] 1976, “German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts, ca. 1400–1700: Lucas Kilian to Philipp Kilian”, vol. 17, Amsterdam, Van Gendt & Co, p. 131, cat. no. 481); HAB A 25571 (Peter Mortzfeld 1986–2008, “Katalog der graphischen Porträts in der Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel 1500–1850: Die Porträtsammlung der Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel”, Munich, K G Saur, cat. no. A 25571).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Portrait of Wilhelm von Welsberg, Bishop of Brixen, nearly half length in an oval, wearing hat and collar, and holding a small book; allegorical border.”

(https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3272090&partId=1&searchText=Lucas+Kilian+Brixen&page=1)

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum:

http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.131741

Condition: an exceptionally fine (near faultless) richly inked impression trimmed along the platemark with a narrow margin around the image borderline. The sheet is in an almost pristine condition laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper.

I am selling this stunning engraving designed to represent in allegorical terms —somewhat playfully I should add from how I perceive the slightly mischievous grin on the putto wearing a bishop’s mitre—good government, for a total cost of AU$322 (currently US$220.08/EUR198.39/GBP167.57 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkable portrait of Wilhelm von Welsperg (1585–1641)—featuring (at top) a putto as a bishop, Prudentia (at left), Pax (at right) controlling Invidia (below her foot) with putti (further below) personifying art and the sciences—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