Jan Collaert II’s etching, “King Arsaces Tries to Tame a Leopard”, 1596, after Jan van der Straet

Jan Collaert II (aka Jan Collaert; Hans Collaert) (c1561–c1620)

King Arsaces Tries to Tame a Leopard (Koning Arsaces tracht een luipaard te temmen [Rijksmuseum title]) (aka King Arsaces Dedicating a Panther to Dionysus [MIA title]), 1596, plate 9 from the series of 104 plates, Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium. Pugnae Bestiariorum: & mutuae Bestiarum, after the ink drawing by Jan van der Straet (aka Joannes Stradanus; Ioannes Stradanus) (1523–1605) (see https://collections.artsmia.org/art/9211/king-arsaces-dedicating-a-panther-to-dionysus-joannes-stradanus), with Latin text by Cornelis Kiliaan (c1529–1607), published by Philips Galle (aka Philippus Gallaeus; Philippe Galle) (1537–16120) in Antwerp.

Engraving on laid paper (watermark from 1625 [see WA Churchill 1965, Watermarks in Paper, p. 235/CCXLV, no. 312]) with small margins.

Size: (sheet) 21.6 x 28.3 cm; (plate) 18.7 x 26.3 cm; (image borderline) 18.2 x 26.1 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline along lower edge: (left of centre) “'Ioan. Stradanus inuent. […] Ioan. Collaert Sculp.”; (right) “Phls Galle excud.”

Numbered and lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “9.”; (centre) “Magnus Parthorum maculis Rex versicolorem/ Venatu nactus Pantheram, ornare monili,// Atque feram facili satagit ratione domare: Sed domita in siluas demum transcurrit agrestes.”

New Hollstein Dutch 505 (Johannes Stradanus) (Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2008, The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Johannes Stradanus, vol. 3, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, p. 191; p. 220 [illus.], cat. no. 505); New Hollstein Dutch 1501 (Collaert Dynasty) (Ann Diels & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2005–06, The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Collaert Dynasty, vol. 8, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, p.196; p.210 [illus.], cat. no. 1501)

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print:

(Transl.) “King Arsaces of the Parthians surrounded by his retinue. He has a leopard on a leash next to him. In the background, this tamed leopard walks away. The print has a Latin caption and is part of a series about hunting scenes”

(http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.97373).

See also the British Museum’s description:

“Panther Caught and Tamed by King Arsaces; centre, King Arsaces tames the panther; another male figure, carrying a bow and arrows, places two fingers on the panther's back; to the left and right, two men look on in amazement; behind, a group of hunters, some holding spears, watch the scene; to far right, a panther runs amongst the trees”

(https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1901-0611-47).

Condition: a near faultless impression in almost pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, losses, stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this rare and remarkable engraving showing the first king of Parthia (north-eastern Iran) about to touch a tame leopard he holds with a leash—please don’t ask me what happened to the tips of the king’s fingers as they seem to have disappeared!—for the total cost of AU$319 (currently US$251.10/EUR207.08/GBP179.25 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 exceptionally fine Renaissance period engraving pf Iranian historical significance, 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