12-Antique Master Prints-ROMAN-EMPERORS-HORSEBACK-De Passe-Van der Straet-c.1600

Complete suite of twelve numbered prints representing the Roman Emperors on horseback.

Made by Crispijn de Passe the Elder after Jan van der Straet.

Medium: Engraving on hand laid (verge) paper.

Sheet size: 13.5 x 20 cm (5.31 x 7.87 inch). Image size: 10.5 x 15 cm. (4.13 x 5.91 inch).

Condition: good, given age. With rear text. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

ROMAN-EMPERORS-HORSEBACK | PCO-E17-22

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Series: The Twelve Emperors. Published by: Crispijn de Passe the Elder in Utrecht.

Reference: New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) 314 (Johannes Stradanus: copy e) Hollstein 314ad.6; Hollstein 309 (Crispijn de Passe I).

Biography engraver: Crispijn de Passe the Elder (1564-1637) was a Flemish artist known for his work as a draughtsman, engraver, and publisher. His career took him across several cities in Europe. He began his career in Antwerp but had to flee due to religious reasons, eventually settling in Cologne by 1589. Later, he moved to Utrecht in 1611. Crispijn de Passe the Elder was the father of several notable artists, including Simon, Magdalena, Crispin II, and Willem.

Biography artist: Stradanus, Johannes Stradanus, Jan van der Straet or Giovanni Stradano (1523-1605) was a Flemish artist active mainly in 16th-century Florence, Italy. He was a wide-ranging talent who worked as an easel and fresco painter, designer of tapestries, draughtsman, designer of prints and pottery decorator. His subject range was varied and included history subjects, mythological scenes, allegories, landscapes, genre scenes, portraits, architectural scenes and animals. After training in his native Flanders, he left his home country and ultimately settled down in Florence, Italy. He became a prominent court artist to the Medici during the second half of the 16th century and worked on the many decorative projects of the court. Stradanus also produced large altarpieces for the most important churches in Florence. He was a prolific designer of prints which were circulated widely throughout Europe for many centuries. Through his knowledge of Florentine and Italian art and his international contacts with engravers and editors in Antwerp, Stradanus contributed to the development of printmaking. He was one of the earliest members of the prominent Accademia e Compagnia delle Arti del Disegno established in Florence in 1563. Stradanus also worked on various commissions in Rome, and resided in Naples from 1576 until about 1580. Thereafter he returned to Florence, dying there in 1605.