Jan Collaert I’s engraving, “Birth of the Son of the Shunammite Woman,” c1579

Jan Collaert I (aka Hans Collaert) (c1525/30–1580)

“Birth of the Son of the Shunammite Woman” (aka “Geboorte van de zoon van de Sunnemitische vrouw”), c1579 (published 1643), plate 2 from the series of 6 plates (Hollstein 122–127 [de Vos]), “The Story of Elisha,” after the design by Maarten de Vos (aka Maarten de Vos; Maerten de Vos) (1532–1603), published in Amsterdam by Volcxken Diericx (Volcxken Dierickx; Volcxken Diericx) (fl.1570–1600). Note that this print was later published by Claes Jansz. Visscher (aka Nicolaes Jansz.Visscher; Piscator) (1587–1652) in 1643 (possibly in “Thesaurus Sacrarum Historiarum Veteris Testament”). This impression is from the initial edition by Volcxken Diericx.

Engraving on laid paper with small margins.

Size: (sheet) 23 x 30.8 cm; (plate) 21.1 x 28.7 cm; (image borderline) 18.9 x 28.2 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “M.de vos. inue. […] Aux.4.vents”.

Numbered and lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “2”; (centre in two columns of two lines) “Cijnthea iamq[ue] suos novies contraxerat orbes,/ Signaq[ue] per totidem Phebus deduxerat ignes.// Ipsa tumescebant crescents pondera ventris,/ Letaq[ue] promissum est enixa puerpera natum.”

State iii? (of iv) before the addition of publication details for Claes Jansz. Visscher in the final state

Hollstein 123 (Christiaan Schuckman [comp.] 1996, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: Maarten de Vos,” vol. 44, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision Rijksprentenkabinet, cat. no. 123); New Hollstein (The Collaert Dynasty) 60 (Ann Diels & Marjolein Leesberg [comp.] 2005–2006, “The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450–1700: The Collaert Dynasty,” vol. 8, Ouderkerk aan den Ijssel, Sound and Vision, cat. no. 60); Riggs 196 (Timothy A. Riggs 1977, “Hieronymus Cock: Printmaker and Publisher,” New York, Garland Publishing).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “A son born to the Shunammite woman; the Shunammite woman seen resting in a chair after giving birth; various nurses attending her as the baby, seen in the foreground, is washed in a bowl; behind, to left, the Shunammite woman showing her baby the family's fields; plate 2; [...] after Maarten de Vos” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-86).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.97252.

Condition: a well-printed and very strong impression with small margins. Beyond a flattened centrefold and remnants of mounting hinges verso, the sheet is in an excellent condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, losses, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this event-filled engraving exemplifying the Flemish Mannerist leaning towards lively rhythms, theatrical gestures and spatial ambiguity for AU$289 (currently US$198.26/EUR199.33/GBP169.76 at the time of this listing) including 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 superb engraving of fascinating complexity, 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