Unidentified printmaker from the circle of Cornelis Galle II (1615–1678) (based on the
close connection of Cornelis Galle II with the Plantin Press in Antwerp where
this print was published and stylistic similarities [see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_O-5-173)
and Pierre de Loisy
II (1619-1670) (based on Pierre de Loisy II’s role as illustrator
for another publication [Vesontio Civitas Imperialis Libera Sequanorum
Metropolis, 1618] by the same author for which this print served as the
title page).
Order of the Golden Fleece, 1632, possibly after Peter Paul Rubens (aka Petrus Paulus Rubens; Rubenius)
(1577–1640), title page to Jean-Jacques Chifflet‘s (aka Chiflet) (1588–1660)
Insignia Gentilitia Equitum Ordinis Velleris Aure, published by Balthasar
Moretus I (aka Balthasar Moerentorf I) (1574–1641) in Antwerp.
I understand that this publication arose from the
Archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia, Sovereign of the Netherlands, having given
Chifflet the “responsibility to write the history of the Order of the Golden
Fleece”—a mission purportedly designed “to keep him near her” (see Camille
Sourget Librairie: https://camillesourget.com/en-13028-rare-books-first-edition-precious-books-chifflet-jean-jacques-lilium-francicum-veritate-historica-botanica-a-very-pure-copy-preserved-.html).
Archive.org offers an online view of this print in its
context as published along with its full publication details:
https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_ffk1prDJdOMC/page/n5/mode/2up.
The British Museum offers the following description of
this print:
“Allegory of the origin of the Order of the Golden
Fleece; at centre Jason holding the dead ram in his right hand and stepping
onto a defeated dragon while leaning on his club; the Argonauts in a ship in
left background and a tree with a scroll in right background; within oval
decorated with the chain of the Golden Fleece; frame surrounded by decorative flames
and with scroll at bottom”
(https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1891-0414-926).
Engraving on laid paper trimmed around the platemark
and backed with a support sheet.
Size: (sheet) 20 x 13.9 cm; (image borderline) 19.5 x
13.5 cm.
Lettered on plate: (upper banderole) “PRETIVM CVRSVS
AVREA PELLIS" (The price of our cruise is the golden coat); (oval
banderole) “IGNEVS EST NOSTRIS VIGOR ET CAELESTIS ORIGO PRINCIPIBVS.” (Our
princes have a fiery power and a heavenly origin); (lower banderole) "MERCES
PRIMÂ DIGNA CARINÂ." (A wage worthy of the first
ship).
Note: the translations for the Latin inscriptions (and
many other details about this print) have been extracted from the exceptional
essay by Andries Welkenhuysen (2007), “Aries seu Aurei Velleris encomium of
Godefridus Wendelinus” (The Gulden Passer, vol. 85: https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_gul005200701_01/_gul005200701_01_0004.php).
Condition: a strong and well-printed impression in
excellent condition, trimmed around the platemark and laid onto a support sheet
of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.
I am selling this amazing engraving showing Jason holding
aloft with his right hand the golden fleece—a tiny one! —while simultaneously crushing
the head of the Colchian dragon with his club with his other hand watched in
the distance by his fellow Argonauts n their ship, the Argo, for the total cost
of AU$245 (currently US$192.29/EUR158.39/GBP137.39 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 title plate for
descriptive explanations about the coats of arms of the eight grand masters of
the Order of the Golden Fleece, 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
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