Willem van Swanenburg

"Allegory of Justice": A 17th Century Old Master Engraving by van Swanenburg

1605

This is a very rare early 18th century old master religious themed engraving entitled "Les Mages...Trouverent l'Enfant avec Marie sa Mere, et se prosternant entere ils l'adorent Puis ouvrant leurs tresors ils tuy offrirent pour present de lor de l'encens et de la myrrhe" by S. Vale after Calmaret, published in Paris by Pierre Drevet (1663-1738). The scene depicts the Magi bowing before Jesus, who is held by his mother Mary, and bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to demonstrate their adoration and respect. Winged cherubs fly overhead and a ray of light is focused on the spiritual couple. A cattle stall and buildings are in the background and a crown and scepter are dropped in the foreground, symbolically demonstrating that these nobles place Jesus above their titles and rank. Little is known about the artist Calmarat or the engraver S...

"Ypres, Grand Ville Riche & Marchande" is an engraving and etching by Daniel Marot (le Vieux) (1661–1752). It depicts a view of the siege of the city of Ypres and its citadel on the left in the Spanish Netherlands by Louis XIV's troops. This battle took place between March 18 and March 25, 1678, as part of the Franco-Dutch War. Marot illustrated in great detail (best appreciated with magnification) the French attack on the strong pentagonal citadel on the extreme left, which had been built recently in anticipation of a French attack. The trenches built by the French approaching the town are seen on the right. King Louis XIV can be seen in the foreground surveying the battle mounted on his white horse, surrounded by his officers and troops. The print is presented in an attractive ornate black wood frame with a cream-colored double mat with a black inner trim. It is glazed with plexiglas. The frame measures 25.38" x 22.63" x .88". The engraving, frame, mat and glazing are in excellent condition. Artist: Daniel Marot (1661–1752) was also called "Le Vieux". He was the son of the famous architect, Jean Marot. Marot had diverse interests and talents. In addition to his art, he designed garden projects, architectural ornaments, furniture, and even upholstery. Marot as a Huguenot protestant was forced to leave France in 1685 following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. He emigrated to Holland, where he worked for William of Orange (an arch enemy of his former employer Louis XIV). Marot was largely responsible for the interiors of Williams palace at the Loo. In 1694 he went Britain as William had married Queen Mary and he had become King William III of England. He later returned to Holland in about 1698 and died in the Hague in 1752. He left a lasting legacy on the decorative arts in the Netherlands, where his grand version of the Louis XIV style remained popular into the 1730s. Historical Background: In October 1677, Mary Stuart, niece and possible successor of Charles II of England, married Louis XIV's arch enemy William III of Orange...

This early original copper-plate engraving entitled "Attaque avec le Belier" from 'L'antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures' (Antiquity Explained and Represented in Diagrams), published in Paris in 1719 by Bernard de Montfaucon. It depicts an ancient...

This is an 18th century engraving and etching entitled "Parmigiani Amica" by Robert Strange after a painting by Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, better known as Parmigianino, who lived during the Renaissance period. It was published in London in 1774. As the inscription states, the painting was in the collection of the King of Naples at the time the engraving was made. The engraving depicts a half-length portrait of a young woman, known as Parmigiani's Amica (meaning "female friend" in Italian). She is depicted wearing a simple but elegant dress with a low-cut neckline, which reveals her delicate features and graceful neck. Her hair is arranged in a simple yet stylish manner. She is turning to the right to look lovingly at her infant, which she is holding with her right arm. She is touching the baby's mouth with her left hand. The background of the engraving is plain and unadorned, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the subject of the portrait. The result is a beautiful and timeless image that captures the essence of Renaissance portraiture. The engraving is printed on watermarked paper. The sheet measures 16.25" high and 12' wide. The sheet is adhered to paper in its upper corners and it has been removed from the paper in its lower corners. There is some mild discoloration and some wrinkling in the margins, including the lower inscription area, and a small dark spot in the upper margin, which may represent a drop of ink occuring at the time of printing. These issues do not involve the image, which is in very good condition. The print is held by several museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The British Museum in London, The Royal Museums of the UK, The British National Trust...

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of Phineus. Beautiful plate with fresh impression and sharp details, from the volume “Le Temple des Muses”, pu...

Urias is an original artwork realized by Crispijn van de Passe in the first half of the XVII Century. Original burin after an original by Martin de Vox chez Sadeler. Passepartout i...

Old Testament Story is an Etching print realized by the artist Giovanni Lanfranco after Agostino Carracci About The Old Testament Story, 1607 ca. ...

Wonderful copper-plate engraving after Jan Luyken Published by Marten Schagen, Amsterdam. 1724 Text on verso The measurement given is the paper size.