Circle of Raphael Sadeler’s engraving, “Blessed Egidius (Giles) of Assisi”, c.1606

Unidentified engraver (possibly Giovanni Merlo [fl.c.1656–1696]) from the circle of Raphael Sadeler (1561–1628) (Note that my attibution to Merlo is based on another print from the same series having this engraver's name inscribed on the plate.)

“Blessed Egidius (Giles) of Assisi” (TIB title) (aka “Saint Giles”; “Sant’Egidio”; “Giles the Hermit”), c.1606, plate 22 in the series, “Sylvae Sacrae” after a lost drawing by Maarten de Vos (1532–1603) in reverse of the engraving (1594) by Raphael Sadeler

(see https://w3id.org/vhmml/museum/view/1843).

Note that there is a similar copy of this print by Thomas de Leu (aka Leeuw; Le Leup; Deleu] (1560–1612) and/or Charles van Boeckel (aka Carel van Bockel) (fl.1597–1603), but there are a few significant differences in the composition (e.g. the area of the sky is reduced [see http://www.galleriagarisenda.it/prodotto/29658-santegidio/]).

Engraving on early laid paper (based on the characteristically uneven thickening around the chainlines) with small margins around the platemark.

Size: (sheet) 17.4 x 20.9 cm; (plate) 16.5 x 20.2 cm; (image borderline) 15.3 x 19.7 cm.

Numbered and lettered on plate in two lines of Latin: “EGIDIVM Regis sobolem tegit umbra cauernæ, […] Quem fera captanti prædam cane prodidit altrix:// Vbera cui præbet cerua dat herba dapes. […] 20 […] Nec virtus antro clausa latere potest.”

TIB 7101.110 C2 (copy in reverse unsigned) (Isabelle de Ramaix [ed.] 2006, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Raphael Sadeler I”, Vol. 71, Part 1 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, p. 146, cat. no. [7101].110 C2).

Condition: richly inked faultless impression in excellent/museum quality condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, losses, abrasions, significant stains or foxing—but there is a flatten centrefold that is virtually invisible recto).

I am selling this exceptionally beautiful engraving of St Giles—the patron saint for the physically disabled beside the red deer which sustained him with its milk—for the total cost of AU$248 (currently US$161.78/EUR142.50/GBP125.05 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 superb engraving capturing in its portrayal of the saint reading his gospel in the company of his hind, the critical moment when a huntsman for King Wamba (c. 643 – 687/688) readies his crossbow to kill the hermit’s deer, but hits the hermit instead —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