Jost Amman’s woodcut, “A Battle Between the Hernici and Romans”, 1572

Jost Amman (aka Jost Ammon) (1539–1591)

“A Battle Between the Hernici and Romans”, 1572, woodcut illustration to Livy’s (aka Titus Livius) (59 BC–AD 17), “Titi Livii Patavini Romanæ historiæ principis libri omnes qvotqvot ad nostram ætatem peruenerunt …” (aka “Scenes from Livy, representing the principle events of Roman history in a skilful and lifelike manner and elucidated by Philip Lonicer in succinct verses” [TIB]; “Icones Livianae”), published with imperial privilege in Frankfurt am Main by Sigmund Feyerabend (aka Sigismund Feyrabend; Sigmund Feierabend) (1528-1590) in 1572/1578.

This impression may be seen on page 686 (see https://archive.org/details/titiliviipatavin00livy_0/page/592/mode/2up). Note that the title of this woodcut changes according to its contextual use, as it is also an illustration to “The Battle between Fulvius and Hannibal” (see Livy XXV.21; TIB 20.3.76 [367]).

Woodcut on fine laid paper with letterpress text verso, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (support sheet) 23 x 26.4 cm; (sheet) 11 x 15.1 cm; (image borderline) 10.9 x 15 cm.

Initialled in plate with the artist’s monogram: (on shield near chariot) “IA”.

TIB 20.3.44 (367) (Jane S Peters 1985, “The Illustrated Bartsch: German Masters of the Sixteenth Century: Jost Amman”, vol., 20 [Part 1], New York, Abaris Books, p. 368, cat. no. 3.44 [367]).

Condition: a strong and well-printed early impression showing minimal signs of wear to the printing plate, trimmed around the image borderline and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing larger margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing.

I am selling this remarkable woodcut showing a Roman battle with billowing banners and war chariots with blades attached to their axles, for AU$268 (currently US$179.25/EUR173.75/GBP152.28 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 amazing German woodcut from the late Renaissance, 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