16th Century Art

Cristofano Rustici called il Rusticone was an artist active in Siena between the 16th and 17th century, son of Lorenzo Brazzi called il Rustico (Siena 1521-1572). Even if his artistic training started in the family workshop, he was mostly very influenced by the Flemish artist Bernhard van Rantwijk, who was also living in the Tuscan town at the same time. The subject of the four paintings are the Cardinal Virtues...

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE RELIEF WITH GRIFFIN Central Italy, 16th Century marble 42 x 28.5 x 5.5 cm 16 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 2 1/4 in

Artist: Aegidius Sadeler II Petronia, First Wife of Vitellius, from set of Roman Emperors and Empresses, c. 16th-17th century Engraving Publisher: Marcus Christoph Sadeler Sight: 15 1/4 x 10 3/4 in. Framed: 19 3/4 x 15 1/4 x 1 in. This image was conceived in the 16th century by Aegidius Sadeler II and published by Marcus Christoph Sadeler. It is unclear when the present version was executed. Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II[1] (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors. Sadeler was born in Antwerp in the Sadeler family of print dealers and engravers. He was the son of Emmanuel de Sayeleer and the nephew of Aegidius I, Jan I en Raphael Sadeler.[2] He was trained by his uncle Jan I and became a member of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke in 1589. He was active in Munich the next year in 1590, in Rome in 1593, in Naples and then again in Munich in 1594–1597. From 1597 he settled in Prague where he became court engraver for Rudolf II and made engraved portraits of notables and engravings after artworks there, most notably paintings by Bartholomeus Spranger, Roelant Savery, Hans von Aachen, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, and sculptures by Giambologna and Adriaen de Vries. His early engravings were mostly faithful copies of works by Albrecht Dürer in the Imperial collection and copies of paintings by notable Italian painters such as Raphael, Tintoretto, Parmigianino, Barocci and Titian or by Northern painters who worked there, such as Paul Bril and Denys Calvaert. In Prague he also engraved portraits of the notables of Rudolf's court, and collaborated with Spranger, Joseph Heintz the Elder, Jacobus Typotius and his friend Anselmus Boece de Boodt (1550-1632), Rudolf II's gemologist and physician.[3] After Rudolf II died he enjoyed the favour and protection of the two succeeding Emperors, Matthias and Ferdinand II.[4][5] According to Michael Bryan...

Inscribed on the verso: EE 27/10

Jean Pichore workshop, 1500-1541 Crucifixion Metal cut engraving printed on vellum with vintage hand coloring c. 1500-1541 Miniature (image) size: 4 3/4 x 3 1/8" Including decorated ...

Roman School (circa 1590–1620) Study of a Male Executioner Black chalk on laid paper, 275 x 199 mm Unsigned Formerly Giancarlo Sestieri Collection This dynamic figure study, exe...

Ca. 1578, Engraving "Siculus" - from the portfolio “The Stables of Don John of Austria” (Equile Austriaci Caroli V)" After Jan van der Straet (Stradanus). An Old Master print from the series of 43 engravings depicting horses of different breeds from the stables of John of Austria (1547-1578), son of Emperor Charles V. Each print shows a horse in the foreground on a hilltop overlooking a distant landscape. Each bears it's title breed, centered upper edge, with two columns of brief explanatory Latin texts in the lower margins. Published by Philips Galle...

School of Andrea del Sarto (Florence, 1486 - Florence, 1530) Saint John Oil on panel, 57 x 39 cm Framed, 67 x 49 cm The panel depicts St. John, recognizable by his staff and red ...

Inscribed “55” and “218” in the lower right Watermark: Heawood 1351 Laid down on historic Cassiano Del Pozzo mount (Mount Type A, 531 x 402 mm) Provenance: Commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo (1588–1637) for his Museo Cartaceo (Paper Museum) and kept in the library of his palazzo, via dei Chiavari, Rome Transferred with the entire dal Pozzo collection by fidecommesso to his younger brother, Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo (1606–1689); by descent to his second son: Gabriele dal Pozzo (d. 1695); by descent to his wife: Anna Teresa Benzoni and after her remarriage in 1697, the Marchesa Lancellotti de’ Ginnetti (d. 1736); by descent to their son: Cosimo Antonio dal Pozzo (d. 1740); by whom sold with the Dal Pozzo library in 1703 to: Pope Clement XI for the Vatican Library; by whom transferred as part of the Museo Cartaceo in January 1714 to his nephew: Cardinal Alessandro Albani (1692–1779), Palazzo ‘alle Quattro Fontane’ in Rome; by whom sold in 1762 to: James Adam, agent for the British Royal Librarian Richard Dalton (1715–1791) King George III of England, Buckingham House Among the sheets of the ‘Museo Cartaceo’ appropriated by Richard Dalton during a reorganization of the drawings, circa 1786-1788; his estate sale, Greenwood’s, London, 11-19 May 1791; where acquired by: John MacGowan...

Bruyn, Abraham de (after). Court wrestlers of the Sultan of Turkey-dressed for outdoors, resting and fighting. 1577. Engraving on hand made laid paper, 10 5/8 x 6 7/8 inches (268 x 1...

L'Annunziata in S. M. sopra Minerva is an original old master artwork realized by Giovanni Fontana. Ivory colored sheet attached on an ivory colored cardboard ( cm 35.8 x 26.7) Bea...

Landscape with Figures is an original Old Master Painting realized in the Second half of the 16th Century and attributed to the French painter Matthijs Bril (Antwerp, 1550 – Rome, 15...

This is a 16th century original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of View of View of Meissen, Germany entitled "Misena Hermun Duvorum Urbs" by Georg Braun & Franz Hogenberg, from their famous city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", published in Cologne, Germany in 1575. The map depicts a side view and bird's-eye view, looking across the Elbe River (labelled Albis Fluvius on the map; White River in Latin) from the northeast. In the foreground are three women in conversation on a hill above the city, along with a man and a woman in conversation by a road, all dressed in contemporary costumes of the upper class. A coat-of-arms is present in each upper corner. A great castle sits atop a hill in the background on the left. Meissen grew up around Albrechtsburg castle, built by Emperor Henry I around AD 929, and was granted a municipal charter at the end of the 12th century. From 1471 onwards, the castle complex was reconstructed as the residence of the Saxon electors on the northeast corner of the Domberg (Cathedral Hill). Meissen cathedral is a Gothic hall church begun c. 1270; in 1413 a bolt of lightning destroyed its west towers, which were replaced only in the 20th century. Meissen lies to the northwest of Dresden, Germany in Saxony. Meissen is famous for its Meissen porcelain and the Albrechtsburg castle The following is an English translation of an excerpt from Braun's description of the city:  "This city is surrounded by very many rivers, to the east flows the Elbe, to the south the Triebisch, to the west are the mountains, to the north the Meisse, after which the city is said to be named. The city is well-situated in its surroundings, the navigable rivers, the mountains and the healthy air. Around the city there is a good land to grow grain, fertile vineyards on the hillsides and without doubt the mountains are not without ore, for one mile away, up the Elbe, is Scharfenberg, where silver and lead ore are mined.." 
  References: Van der Krogt 4, 2684; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg...

This exquisite oil painting on wood, created by an unknown Flemish artist in 1594, depicts a young girl seated in a chair. The artwork is in very good condition, though some modest r...

This is an original 16th century copperplate originally hand-colored engraved map of View of Seravalle, Italy entitled "Seravallum Celeberrimum Marchiae Tarvisiniae in Agro Foro Juliensi Opp. - Seravalli, quam vides, Spectator, iconem, operi huic nostro suis sumptib. . . ." by Georg Braun & Franz Hogenberg, from their famous city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", published in Augsberg, Germany in 1575. The map depicts a view of Seravalle, now Vittorio Veneto, in San Marino, Italy, north of Venice, in a topographically accurate bird's-eye view from the south. A water-filled moat is seen to the south of the city walls and farmland to the east. Two men are depicted standing on a hill in the lower right in conversation next to grain sacks and a grazing horse, while a younger man behind them to the right herds a mule carrying presumably pigs. A very colorful and ornate title cartouche is in the upper center and coat-of-arms are in the right and left upper corners. Serravalle lies in an idyllic setting in the foothills and surrounded by orchards. St Mary's Cathedral with its tall bell tower is prominent in the center of the town. The marketplace and town hall with a bell tower in the square are depicted. Houses and shops are around the main square. Serravalle's importance as an agricultural centre is emphasized by the figures in the foreground. In 1337 Serravalle was conquered by the Republic of Venice. In 1866 the town was united with neighbouring Ceneda to form the town of Vittorio Veneto. The following is an English translation of an excerpt from the French description of the city on the back of the map: "Serravalle, a market town renowned for cloth, wine and grain, is in such a beautiful situation that the number of its inhabitants, attracted by the loveliness of the place, has grown so much at times that the wall encircling it has had to be enlarged for the third time. The city with the surrounding town once belonged to the Church in Ceneda as an imperial fief. It subsequently became the seat of the Da Camino family (a princely house that at that time was one of the five most noble in all Italy). Now the city is under the sway of the Venetians but is prudently governed by them. For they send only one city councillor with instructions to ensure that justice prevails and to collect duties. In all else, power lies in the hands of the noble families." This is a translation of the Latin in the title cartouche on the front: "The picture of the town of Serravalle, which you see, viewer, has been contributed to our work entirely at his own expense by Minutius, son of Hieronymus Minutius, a noble gentleman and one renowned for the far-reaching competence of his jurisdiction. We saw him sojourning in Cologne, where he was on business for Gregory XIII; while our good wishes accompany him, we should also like to accompany him on his way with this remembrance, even though it might be against his will, so that even those who have not seen him may learn of his excellence. However, those who do not yet know him will also see his excellence if God the Almighthy does not summon erring souls too soon back to the eternal seat of the Blessed." References: Van der Krogt 4, 4728, State 1; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg, p.331; Fauser, #14960 This striking hand-colored city view is printed on laid, chain-linked paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 16" high by 21" wide. There is a central vertical fold as issued and French text on the verso, with Latin on the front. There is some discoloration in the upper and right margins which may represent some watercolor paint from the time of the original hand-coloring of the map. There is a small hole to the right of the upper portion of the vertical fold, which is only visible when held up to light and an area of reinforcement on the verso of the lower vertical fold. The map is otherwise in very good to excellent condition. Braun and Hogenberg's 'The Civitates Orbis Terrarum' was the second atlas of maps ever published and the first atlas of cities and towns of the world. It is one of the most important books published in the 16th century. Most of the maps in the atlas were engraved by Franz Hogenberg and the text, with its descriptions of the history and additional factual information of the cities, was written by a team of writers and edited by Georg Braun. The work contained 546 bird-eye views and map views of cities and towns from all over the world. It gave graphic representation of the main features of the illustrated cities and towns, including the buildings and streets. Although the ordinary buildings are stylized, the principal buildings are reproduced from actual drawings created on location. The principal landmarks and streets can still be recognized today. In addition, the maps often include the heraldic arms of the city, the nature of the surrounding countryside, the important rivers, streams and harbors, even depicting stone bridges, wooden pontoons, flat-bottomed ferries, ships and working boats, wharves and jetties, as well as land-based activities, including horsemen, pedestrians, wagons, coaches, and palanquins. Small vignettes are often included which illustrate the trade, occupations and habits of the local inhabitants, such as agriculture, paper-making and textiles, as well as local forms of punishment, such as gibbets, wheels, floggings etc. Large figures dressed in their local costume are often presented out of proportion in the foreground. The aim of the authors was to give as much information as possible in a pleasing visual form. They succeeded in creating maps that were both informative and decorative works of art. The atlas is a wonderful glimpse of life in medieval Europe. Georg Braun (1541-1622) was German Catholic...

Map od Dordrecht is an artwork realized by Braun and Hogemberg in the late 16th century. Hand watercolored etching. 40x54 cm. Good conditions. Braun Hoghemberg (1541-1622) was a ...

Four engravings from 'Emblemi di Achille Bocchi', realized in 1555, are original Engravings. Dimension: 17 x 12,5 cm each. Four sheets from Achillis Bo...

Engraving by Joannes and Lucas van Doetecum (Deventer active by 1551 - circa 1569 Haarlem) in the manner of Peter Bruegel the Elder

SEBASTIAN MUNSTER (1488-1552) FLORENCZ - -- FIGUR UND GELEGENHEIT DER EDLEN UND HOCH BERHÜMPTEN STATT FLORENTZ. . c 1550 (Fauser, #3925.) Woodcut f...

Polidoro de' Renzi, called Polidoro da Lanciano (Lanciano, c. 1515 - Venice, 1565) Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine Oil on panel, 47.5 x 34.5 cm Framed, 71 x 58 cm The painting, ...

Sextus Tarquinius Raping Lucretia Engraving, c. 1546-47 Signed with the intials in the plate (see photo) From: "Four Scenes of Early Roman History" An early impression with plate ton...

This vie of Haarlem in the Netherlands (ancient name: Harlemvm) is an original etching realized by George Braun and Franz Hogenberg as part of the Series "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". ...

This is a 16th century original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of a bird's-eye View of Embden, Germany entitled " Emuda, vulgo Embden vrbs Frisia orientalis primaria" by Georg Braun & Franz Hogenberg, in volume II of their famous city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", published in Cologne, Germany in 1575. This is a beautifully colored and detailed map of Emden, a seaport in northwestern Germany, along the Ems River and perhaps portions of over Dollart Bay, near the border with the Netherland. The map depicts a bird's-eye view of the city from the southwest, as well as a view of the harbor and an extensive system of canals. Numerous ships of various sizes, as well as two rowboats containing numerous occupants are seen in the main waterway in the foreground and additional boats line two canals in the center of the city. Two men and two women are shown on a hill in the foreground on the right, dressed in the 16th century style of nobility. Two ornate crests are included in each corner. A title strap-work cartouche is in the upper center with the title in Latin. The crest on the right including Engelke up de Muer (The Little Angel on the Wall) was granted by Emperor Maximilian I in 1495. This is an English translation of an excerpt of Braun's description of Embden: "In Emden, the capital of East Frisia, rich merchants live in very fine houses. The city has a broad and well-situated harbour, which in my opinion is unique in Holland. Frisia and the whole of the Netherlands, for the ships can anchor here right under the city walls. They have also extended the harbour as far as the New Town, so that up to 400 ships can now find shelter here when the sea is rough." The emphasis on the harbor and waterways within the city highlights the importance of Emden's place as a seaport at this time. Embden developed from a Dutch/Flemish trading settlement in the 7th-8th centuries into a city as late as late 14th century. In 1494 it was granted staple rights, and in 1536 the harbour was extended. In the mid-16th century Emden's port was thought to have the most ships in Europe. Its population then was about 5,000, rising to 15,000 by the end of the 16th century. The Ems River flowed directly under the city walls, but its course was changed in the 17th century by the construction of a canal. Emden has canals within its city limits, a typical feature of Dutch towns, which also enabled the extension of the harbor. In 1744 Emden was annexed by Prussia and is now part of Germany. It was captured by French forces in 1757 during the Seven Years' War, but recaptured by Anglo-German forces in 1758. During the Napoleonic French era, Emden and the surrounding lands of East Frisia were part of the short-lived Kingdom of Holland. References:Van der Krogt 4, 1230, State 2; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg...

Follower of Andrea del Sarto (Florence, July 16, 1486 - Florence, September 29, 1530) Madonna and Child, St. John and two Angels Oil on panel, 73 x 61.5 cm With frame 100 x 90 cm...

This is a framed hand-colored 16th century map of Northern Scotland by Gerard Mercator entitled "Scotiae pars Septentrionalis", published in Amsterdam in 1636. It is a highly detailed map of the northern part of Scotland, with the northwest Highlands and the cities Inverness and Aberdeen, as well as the Orkney Islands and the Hebrides. There is a decorative title cartouche in the upper left corner. The map is presented in an antiqued brown wood...

Realistic lithograph by Nicholas Beatrizet depicting the ascension of Christ. Christ is depicted ascending on the 3rd day according to the bible as...

A very fine, well contrasted impression of the 1st State, before the addition of the number, present when the work later was included in Bol’s River Series.

2nd State Watermark: Hand with Cuff and Flower (close to Briquet 11467)

Engraving after Luca Penni

Fountain is an original etching realized in the late 16th century. The State of preservation is very good. Hand-watercolored. The artwork represents t...

Provenance: Edouard Schultze (Lugt 906) References: Bartsch 34 Boorsch & Lewis 38 Notes: A fine impression of this engraving. Boorsch and Lewis state that this work dates from “the mid-1560s” and suggest that it was after a work by Giulio Romano...

engraving and etching by A. Collaert after Hans Bol Watermark: Letter P (Briquet 8718, Grevenbroich 1572)

2nd state Watermark: Hand with Cuff and Flower (close to Briquet 11467)

Rare proof engraved by the author after Michelangelo Buonarroti. Second state on two, with the excudit by Lafrefi. Paper with the ancient watermark of the anchor in the circle. Excel...

Braun G., Hogenberg F., Cascale, from the collection Civitates Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. Good conditions expect tue usual central fold. The “Civitates Orbis...

This View of La Rochelle (ancient name: Rochel) is an original etching realized by George Braun and Franz Hogenberg as part of the famous Series "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The “Civ...

Etching by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg, realized in 1575 and belonging to the Suite "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The first volume of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum was published in ...

Etching 195 x 295 mm.; 7 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches Exhibited: Old Master Prints & Drawings: 1450 - 1850, R. S. Johnson Fine Art, December 1999: no. 21. Reference: Hollstein 68 I/II No...

"Luneburg", from the collection "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1575. The “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” (Atlas of Cities of the World) was the second oldest print...

Maps is an original etching realized by G. Braun and F. Hogenberg as part of the so called "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” (Atlas of Cities of the World) ...

Braun G., Hogenberg F., Duynkercke or Dunkirk, from the collection Civitates Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. Very fine B/W aquatint showing a view of the port and...

High relief panel depicting 'Saint Barbara' Southern France, 16th-17th century Polychrome carved wood with traces of gilding 64 x 32 cm. (good condition, with minor missing and cra...

This view of Blois (ancient name: Bloys) is an original etching realized by George Braun and Franz Hogenberg as part of the famous "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The “Civitates Orbis T...

CARLO URBINO (Crema 1525 - after 1585) Draped Woman Holding a Branch Pencil and brown ink on laid paper 13.6 x 7.7 cm Unsigned 16th century Mounted on 20th-century paper Handwrit...

"Machelen", from the collection "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1575. The “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” (Atlas of Cities of the World) was the second oldest print...

Tribuna della Basilica Labicana is an original old master artwork realized in 16th century by Giovanna Fontana. IIvory colored paper attached on an ivory colored sheet (cm 27 x 36.7...

City of Loja (ancient name: Loxa) is an original etching realized by Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg as part of the famous Atlas "Civitates Orbis Terra...

Braun G., Hogenberg F., Candia, (Heraklion, Crete) from the collection Civitates Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. Very fine B/W aquatint showing a view of Heraklio...

Map Traiectvm ad Mosam is original etching realized by Georg Braun and Franz Hogengerg between the end of the 16th and the first years of the 17th Century. Dimension: 40 x 54 The ...

Monumento al popolo is an original drawing realized by Giovanni Fontana in the 16th century. Ivory colored paper attached on an ivory colored sheet. Includes frame: 48.5 x 1 x 44 c Beautiful drawing in graphite, representing the funeral monument...

This Schwäbisch Hall is an original etching realized by George Braun and Frans Hogenberg, part of the famous series “Civitates Orbis Terrarum”" The state of preservation of the art...

The View of Strubing (ancient nam: Stravbinca) is an original etching realized by George Braun and Franz Hogenberg, as part of the "Civitates Orbis Terrarum" The “Civitates Orbis Te...

This View of Namvrcvm (the ancient city of Namur, Belgium) is an original etching realized by George Braun and Franz Hogenberg, as part of the famous Series "Civitates Orbis Terrarum...

Black and white etching and drypoint on wire rod paper, representing the myth of the sacrifice of Iphigenia. On the altar is inscribed "Iphigenia" in capital letters. On the lower left margin is inscribed "N. Beatrizet Lo Taringus F.", slightly discolored (Beatrizet usually signed his plates with the letters "N. B. L. F."). At the center of the lower margin is inscribed "Romae, Michaelis Tramezini formis cum privilegio summi Pont. M.D.L.III". After a drawing attributed to either Michelangelo Buonarroti, Salviati, or Baccio Bandinelli...

Braun G., Hogenberg F., Leyden, from the collection Civitates Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. The “Civitates Orbis Terrarum” (Atlas of Cities of the World) was th...

The announcement in S. Maria sopra Minerva is an original drawing in pencil on paper, realized by Giovanni Fontana. The state of preservation of the artwork is good except for some ...

16th-century Florentine sculptor, greyhound in pietra serena. This fascinating sculpture, which has come down to us in fragmentary form, depicts a dog, an elegant greyhound crouching...

Braun G., Hogenberg F., Aldenburgum Holsatiae, or Stade, from the collection Civitates Orbis Terrarum, Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1572-1617. Precious hand-colored aquatint showing a vi...

"Granada", from the collection "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", Cologne, T. Graminaeus, 1575. Very nice B/W Aquatint, representing a View of Granada, from the East, which was perhaps t...

Portrait of the City of Wismaria is an original etching realized by Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg as part of the suite "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". Precious etching, showing a view...