Gallery of prints for sale

Sunday, 7 February 2021

Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “The Transfiguration of Christ”, 1579, after Maerten de Vos

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

“The Transfiguration of Christ” (La Transfiguration du Christ), 1579, after a drawing dated 1578 by Maerten de Vos (1532–1603) in the Steinmetz-kabinet, Bruges (inv. 0. 1777), plate 2 from the series of twelve engravings, “The Apostles' Creed”, published by Johannes Sadeler I with royal privilege. Isabelle de Ramaix (2001, TIB 70. Part 2) advises that “Copies of this series were published in a small format (130 x 184, plate), by Thomas de Leu”, p. 83). Note also that Nicolas Prévost (fl.1580–1600) executed a series of woodcuts (1590–1600) from the same designs initially published in Paris by Jean Leclerc III (c1525–1599) and later by Jean Leclerc IV (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_E-9-232).

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

Size: (sheet) 21 x 24.9 cm; (image borderline) 17 x 24.8 cm.

Lettered on plate above the image borderline: “ET RESPLENDVIT FACIES EIVS. SICVT SOL, VESTIMENTA AVTEM EIVS FACTA SVNT ALBA SICVT IX./ ET ECCE APPARVERVNT ILLIS MOYSES ET ELIAS CVM IPSO LOQVENTES. Matthæ: 17.”

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline: (around Christ) “HIC EST FILIVS MEVS …”; (lower centre) “M. d. Vos inuent:/ Johannes Sadeler fecit et excudit, Cum priuilegio regis.”

Lettered on plate below the image borderline in three columns: “SESES TVA DEVS …/ …/ … RECTVM. Psal: 45.// ET IN IESVM …/ …/ …/ MINVM NOSTRVM.// QVI EST IMAGO …/ …/ ATVRÆ Collos: 1.6.15.”

State ii (of ii) with the addition of the text “Cum priuilegio regis.”

TIB 7001.287 S2 (Isabelle de Ramaix & Walter L Strauss [eds.] 1999, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Johan Sadeler I”, vol. 70, Part 2 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, pp. 86–86, cat. no. [7001].287.S2); Nagler 1835–52, no. 51; Le Blanc, no. 81; Wurzbach, no. 83; Hollstein 1980, vol. 21, no. 466; Hollstein 1995–96, vol. 44, no. 872.

The Rijksmuseum offers the following description of this print:

(Transl.) “The second article of faith: faith in Christ as the son of God. Christ shows his divine being to his disciples Peter, James the Greater and John. He is surrounded by heavenly rays. Moses (right) and the prophet Elijah (left) appear next to him. The print has a Latin inscription with a Bible quote that refers to the depicted Bible story and a Latin inscription about the apostolic creed. The second print in a twelve-part series about the creed” (http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168617).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression, trimmed along the platemark and laid onto a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. The sheet is lightly age-toned with two dot stains on the lower edge, otherwise it is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or foxing.

I am selling this masterwork of engraving showing the radiant and cloud-borne transfigured Christ standing between the prophet Elijah (on the left) and Moses (on the right) with three of Christ’s disciples below them (viz. St Peter, St John the Evangelist and St James the Greater), for AU$372 in total (currently US$285.51/EUR237.13/GBP208 at the time of posting this print) 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 Renaissance period engraving illustrating the Apostles' Creed by one of the most famous of the old-master printmakers, 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











No comments:

Post a Comment

Please let me know your thoughts, advice about inaccuracies (including typos) and additional information that you would like to add to any post.