Philips
Galle (aka
Philippe Galle; Philippus Gallaeus) (1537–1612)
“The Lighthouse at Alexandria”, 1572, lifetime
impression of the first state before numbering, from the series of eight plates,
“The Eight Wonders of the Ancient World” (TIB 5601.101:1–101:8; New Hollstein
513–520), after Maarten van Heemskerck’s (aka Martin Heemskerk; Maarten
van Veen) (1498–1574) design with verses by Hadrianus Junius (aka Adriaen
de Jonghe) (1511–1575), published in Antwerp by Theodoor Galle (aka Theodor
Galle; Dirck Galle) (1571–1633).
Engraving
on laid paper, trimmed with a small margin around the platemark, with a significant
replenished loss at lower centre and along the lower left margin and backed
with a support sheet.
Size:
(support sheet) 30 x 34.8 cm; (sheet) 22.3 x 28.1 cm; (plate) 21.2 x 26.8 cm; (image
borderline) 20.3 x 26.3 cm.
Inscribed
in plate within the image borderline: (upper centre in sky) “PHAROS”; (lower
centre on framework) “Martinus Heemskerck Inuentor” and “Philipus Galle Fecit”.
Lettered
in plate below the image borderline: “CVRSIBVS EXTRVXTI RATIVM PTOLEMAEE
REGUNDIS ... NILI SIC TVTIVS ORA SVBIRENT.”
State
i (of ii) before the addition of the plate number at the lower right corner.
TIB
5601.101:2 (Arno Dolders [ed.] 1987, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish
Artists: Philips Galle”, vol. 56, Supplement, New York, Abaris Books, p. 377,
cat. no. [5601].101:2); New Hollstein (Maarten van Heemskerck) 514 (Ilja
Veldman [comp.] 1993–94, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts
ca. 1450–1700: Maarten van Heemskerck”, vol., 14, Roosendaal, Koninklijke Van
Poll, pp. 192 & 194, cat. no. 514); New Hollstein (Philips Galle) 479
(Manfred Sellink [comp.] 2001, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and
Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: Philips Galle”, vol., 14, Rotterdam, Sound and Vision,
pp. 177 & 181, cat. no. 479).
The
British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Plate numbered
2: the lighthouse at Alexandria; to right, a king, seated (Ptolemy?) discussing
plans with an architect, (Sostratus of Cnidus?); two putti standing behind the
king; seen from a distance, the lighthouse built on a rocky mountain, emanating
light; a town and a meandering aqueduct are seen below it; numerous sailing
boats in the sea; after Heemskerck. 1572 Engraving” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-269).
See
also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.114916.
Condition:
a strong and well-printed (first state) impression trimmed with a small margin
around the platemark and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality)
washi paper. There is a significant replenished loss at the lower centre and along the lower left margin.
I
am selling this fascinating and creatively inventive Renaissance period engraving—a
lifetime impression from 1572—showing the near nude architect (purportedly, Sostratus
of Cnidus) consulting with King Ptolemy II about the world’s first lighthouse built
between 297 and 283 BC on the island of Pharos near the port of Alexandria (Egypt),
for the total cost of AU$337 (currently US$232.49/EUR217.42/GBP193.22 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 first state engraving—mindful
that there are significant restoration issues—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
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