Karel Dujardin’s etching, “Two Sheep and a Goat”, 1652

Karel Dujardin (aka Karel Du Jardin; Carel Dujardin; Carel du Jardin; Bokkebaart) (1626–1678)

“Two Sheep and a Goat” (aka “La chèvre et les deux moutons” [Bartsch title]; “Geit en twee schapen”), 1652 (Rijksmuseum date) or 1653 (BM date), plate 7 from the series of 8 prints, “Animals” (Dieren).

Etching on laid paper (coronet watermark) trimmed around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 14.9 x 13.9 cm; (image borderline) 14.2 x 13.2 cm.

Inscribed on plate: (lower left) “K.D.I f / 16[…]”; (lower right corner) “7”.

State iii (of iii) with the addition of the plate number at lower right.

Note that the Rijksmusuem advises that the date is “1652” and the BM proposes “1653”. I have difficulty in deciphering either date from the strokes.

TIB 1.7 (168) (Leonard J Slatkes [ed.] 1978, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists”, vol. 1, New York, Abaris Books, p. 177, cat. 7–und. II [168]).; Hollstein Dutch 7-3(3)

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“A goat and two sheep resting, the central sheep seen from the rear, the goat at right and facing the viewer, a fence in background, a seated shepherd in left background; third state with number” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Sheepshanks-827).

See also the Rijksmuseum’s description of this print: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.38291.

Condition: a well-printed impression but with a few wiped marks above the trees at right, trimmed close to the platemark with a small margin around the image borderline. There are faint stains at the upper corners, otherwise, the impression is in a very good condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this sensitively executed etching revealing in the complex arrangement of tiny dots and horizontal lines rendering the faintest suggestion of clouds, the dexterity of Dujardin’s delicate touch with the etching needle—note also how skilful Dujardin is in suggesting the most subtle hint of reflected light on the goat’s side—for the total cost of AU$288 (currently US$220.22/EUR186.68/GBP159.66 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 sun-drenched rural scene from the 17^th century—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.