Jost Amman’s woodcut, “Nebuchadnezzar Takes Jerusalem”, c1571

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

“Nebuchadnezzar Takes Jerusalem” (2 Kings 25) (aka “Joshua’s Battle with the King of Hazor” [Josh. II]; “Battle of the Israelites and the Benjamites” [Judg. 20]), c1571, woodcut illustration published in Frankfurt am Main by Sigmund Feyerabend (aka Sigismund Feyrabend; Sigmund Feierabend) (1528-1590) in two publications as illustrations to different events/subjects: “Newe Biblische Figuren: Künstlich vnnd artig gerissen durch den sinn vnd kunstreichen auch weitberühm ten Joß Amman …” with the publisher’s preface showing the date 1571 (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1863-0725-1326-1526); and, Livy’s (aka Titus Livius) (59 BC–AD 17), “Titi Livii Patavini Romanæ historiæ principis libri omnes qvotqvot ad nostram ætatem peruenerunt …”, first published in 1572.

Archive.org offers an online view of this woodcut employed as an illustration in the latter publication in two different contexts: page 72 (https://archive.org/details/titiliviipatavin00livy_0/page/72/mode/2up) and page 160 (https://archive.org/details/titiliviipatavin00livy_0/page/160/mode/2up).

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 26.3 cm; (sheet) 11.3 x 15.5 cm; (image borderline) 10.9 x 15 cm.

Signed in plate with the artist’s monogram on fallen shield at lower left.

TIB 20.1.69 (365) (Jane S Peters 1985, “The Illustrated Bartsch: German Masters of the Sixteenth Century: Jost Amman”, vol., 20 [Part 1], New York, Abaris Books, p. 283, cat. no. 1.69 [365]).

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. There are minor restorations to the borderline.

I am selling this remarkable woodcut showing a densely packed and lively cavalry battle outside a burning city, for AU$268 (currently US$186.87/EUR172.48/GBP153.16 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