Jan Sadeler I’s engraving, “Hell”, c1580/1, after Dirck Barendsz.

Jan Sadeler I (aka Johannes Sadeler; Johann Sadeler) (1550–1600)

“Hell”, c1580/1, from the series of four engravings, “The Four Last Things” (TIB 7001.421–.424), after a lost drawing by Dirck Barendsz. (aka Theodore Bernards Barentsz.; Theodor Amsterodamus Bernard) (1534–1592), published in Amsterdam by Jan Sadeler I.

Engraving on laid paper with wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 24.4 x 35.4 cm; (plate) 18.3 x 23.3 cm; (image borderline) 16.9 x 22.7 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower left corner) “T. B. Amst. Inve. I Sadel scal: ex.”

Lettered in plate in two-line couplets of Latin below the image borderline: “Nunc iterum peragenda tibi pro turpibus ausis,/ Impia, qualis erat, turba, peracta dies.// Hæc lue pro meritis stÿgias demersa paludes,/ Praeda recens furiis dilanianda tribus.” [Google translation: “Now, once more, for your shameful ventures, / Ungodly as it was, the crowd, the days are over.// This praise for the merits of the Stygians drowned in the swamps, / A fresh prey to be torn apart by the fury of the tribe.”]

State i (of i) Lifetime impression (based on the quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

TIB 7001.424 (Isabelle de Ramaix 2001, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Johan Sadeler I”, vol. 70, Part 2 [Supplement], New York, Abaris Books, pp. 299–300, cat. no. [7001].424); Hollstein 454 (vol. 21).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Hell. A demon carrying three people on his back at centre, and leading them towards a female figure with sagging breasts and a skull, other people being dragged towards flaming fire at left; after Dirk Barendsz” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1937-0915-5).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.168603.  

Condition: a strong and near faultless impression in an excellent condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, abrasions, significant stains or foxing (but there is a flattened centre-fold, possibly as published).

I am selling this curiously wonderful engraving showing demons carrying the forsaken to their demise in the fiery caverns of Hell—a vision similar to that depicted by Michelangelo in “The Last Judgement”—for the total cost of AU$531 (currently US$353.01/EUR327.95/GBP288.64 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 remarkably fine (lifetime) impression of a spectacular engraving, 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