Johannes Visscher’s engraving with etching, “The Spinner Near a Rock”, c1660, after Nicolaes Berchem

Johannes Visscher (aka Jan de Visscher) (1633/4–1712)

“The Spinner Near a Rock” (aka “Spinster bij een rots”), (BM’s attrib.) c1660 (1643–1706), after Nicolaes Berchem’s (aka Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem; Nicolaes Berchen; Niclas Berghem; Claes Berighem; Nicolaes Pietersz.Berrighem) (1621/2–1683) painting that De Winter advises was destroyed by fine in 1864 (see Hollstein, p. 37). Originally published by Frederick de Wit (state ii), followed by Nicholaes Visscher (state iii) and finally by Pieter Schenk (state iv) before all publisher details were removed as shown in this impression (state v).

Engraving and etching on laid paper trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline.

Size: (sheet) 36.2 x 46.3 cm; (image borderline) 33.4 x 45 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “^CBerghem pinxit./ J. Vißcher fecit."

State v (of v) with removal of publisher details.

Hollstein Dutch 45v (Christiaan Schuckman [comp.] 1992, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Johannes Visscher to Robert van Voerst”, vol. XLI, Roosendaal, Koninklijke Van Poll, p. 37, cat. no. 45]; De Winter 61.

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “A roadway with a reclining shepherd couple with their flock of sheep on the wayside at right; the shepherdess spinning wool; on the road a youth saddles or loads a horse and talks with a small boy behind him … after Nicolaes Berchem/ Engraving and etching” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1840-0314-168).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.191437.

Condition: a very strong and well-printed impression with small margins around the image borderline. Beyond several small marks in the margin, the sheet is in an excellent condition.

I am selling this large engraving (with etching) showing a fascinating view of country life during the Dutch Golden Age—note the focus on the relaxed lifestyle of contented folk and animals relaxing in the sun and, importantly, how the towering rockface and billowing distant cloud seems to make them seem small and possibly even vulnerable in their setting—for the total cost of AU$298 (currently US$207.56/EUR207.66/GBP175.87 at the time of posting 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 magnificent engraving glowing with strong darks and showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.