Jacob Matham’s engraving, "Charity", 1593, after Goltzius

Jacob Matham (1571–1631)

"Charity" (aka “La Charité”; “Liefde”; “Caritas”), 1593, plate 3 from the series of seven engravings, “The Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins” (aka “The Virtues [in niche]”), after artist’s teacher and stepfather, Hendrik Goltzius (aka Hendrick Goltzius) (1558–1617).

Engraving on laid paper with a narrow margin around the image borderline.

Size: (sheet) 32.5 x 16.8 cm.

Numbered and lettered in plate: (within the image borderline at right) “3”; (within the image borderline at left) “[ligature monogram of Hendrik Goltzius] HG Inue.”; (below the image borderline in two lines of Latin verse) “Blanda Charis diuina Agape., celestis origo,/ Aethera cum terries nodo constringit aheno.// F. E.” (Franco Estius [fl.1580s–1594]—the author of the Latin verse).

TIB 4 (3).127 (164) (Walter L Strauss 1980, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists”, vol. 4, New York, Abaris Books, p. 116, cat. no. 127 [164]); New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 147; Hollstein 265.

See also the descriptions of this print offer by the British Museum and the Rijksmuseum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1857-0613-505; http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.150593.

The curator of the BM also gives the following information about the series:

“This is one from a series of seven numbered plates by Jacob Matham (New Hollstein 150-156) after Goltzius …. The set was first published by Goltzius in Haarlem; then by Claes Jansz Visscher in Amsterdam (before 1652); and finally, by Jochem Ottens. Seven preparatory drawings by Goltzius are in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, inv.nos.Dr.975.2-8 (Reznicek 89-95)” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1857-0613-510). 

Condition: a well-printed impression, but slightly abraded/stained on the face of the figure, Charity. The sheet is trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and is in a good condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes or folds.

I am selling this very beautiful engraving, for the total cost of AU$390 (currently US$258.57/EUR236.31/GBP201.08 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this finely executed engraving showing the personification of love holding two children in her arms—note also the pelican at upper right (a symbol of the atonement) suckling its chicks on her own blood and on the upper left Christ crucified (symbolising sacrifice and salvation)—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