Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “Annunciation to the Shepherds”, c1588, after Jacopo Bassano (2nd impression)

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

“Annunciation to the Shepherds” (TIB title), c1575–1600, after a painting by Jacopo Bassano (aka Jacopo da Ponte; Giacomo Bassano) (c.1510/18–1592) in the Giusti collection, Verona.

Engraving on fine laid paper trimmed around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 22.1 x 28.2 cm; (image borderline) 19.6 x 28.2 cm.

Lettered on plate: (above the image borderline) “ECCE ENIM EVANGELIZO VOBIS GAUDIVM MAGNVM.” (transl. “I bring you good tidings of great joy”); (below the image borderline): “IN GRATIAM PERILLVSTRIS COMITIS AVGVSTINI DE IVSTIS, TABELLAM/ HANC IOANNES SADELERVS ÆRE SCALPSIT, QVAM OLIM IACOBVS DE PONTO/ BASSANENSIS COLORIBVS EFFINXERAT, VERONÆ.”

Lifetime impression; State i (of iii) before the addition of the address the publisher, Dancker Danckerts, in state ii and the address of F. de Wit in state iii.

TIB 7001.149 S1 (Isabelle de Ramaix & Walter L Strauss [eds.] 1999, “The Illustrated Bartsch 70, Part 1 [Supplement], Johan Sadeler I”, vol. 70, Part 1, Abaris Books, p. 175); Nagler 1835–52, no. 42; Le Blanc, no. 45; Wurzbach, no. 31; Hollstein 1980, vol. 21, no. 180; Sénécgak 1987, no. 2 (Johan Sadeler I).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Annunciation to the shepherds. The angel appearing between clouds at centre, the shepherds huddled with their sheep, an ox, goat, dog and donkey, one reclining at right, two standing and conversing behind, a man seated at centre, resting his head on his hand; first state before publisher's address; after Jacopo Bassano.”

(https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_W-9-117)

See also the description of this print at the Rijksmuseum:

http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168367.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression trimmed around the platemark (or slightly within) and laid upon a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. There is a restored hole in the margin at lower left and restoration of the lower right corner, otherwise the sheet is in very good condition with no significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this very rare and beautiful engraving—note in particular the exquisite rendering of the dog towards the centre of the scene as it gazes up to the angel, but equally interesting to my eyes is the rendering of the grass in the foreground where each blade is crafted to reflect the angel's radiance by contrast with the surrounding darkness—for the total cost of $431 (currently US$325.91/EUR267.41/GBP242.79 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) 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 unusual engraving of a night-time scene, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Please note that this is the second copy of this engraving that I have posted. The previously listed print (posted 16 July 2018) has been sold.

This print has been sold