Description
Christ on the Sea of Galilee. SECOND STATE, 1595-1620 (originally produced in 1574, withheld and published 1n 1585 in a series of 12 plates titled “The Miracles of Jesus”, from de Jode’s 1585 masterpiece, Thesaurus Novi Testamenti. See elsewhere on this site.) Actual printing date for this plate is unknown, though de Jode’s signature remains on the plate amongst the waves, lower left side. Only additions no. 2 and the corrected verse 8.24 at the lower right corner of the plate. Reference: New Hollstein 34.2 (Muller). The presumptive original designer: Maarten de Vos. Engraver: Harman Jansz. Muller (signature on starboard side, front). Publisher: Uncertain, though Gerard de Jode’s signature remains. If the corrected plate is not from de Jode or his close assigns, then it is likely an early product of C. J. Visscher’s publishing career “banking on” de Jode’s good name and prestige. Image is cut just outside the plate on medium-thick laid paper, unmounted, a clear and sharp impression without blemish! What drama! Plate plus very thin margins is 10.4″ x 8.5″.
The image [see Psalm 107:29], taken from Mark 4, Matthew 8 and Luke 8, is from de Jode’s 1585 TNT series, “The Miracles of Christ.” Perhaps the most dramatic single scene from that work–or any work of this period! The engraving features prominently in the Hexham Abbey Bible, a scene replicated by many subsequent artists, including the famous 1633 painting by Rembrandt van Rijn, “Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” which was stolen from a Boston museum in 1990 and never recovered — a testament to its enduring popularity.
Engraving is set in a museum-quality, Bifold Portfolio, with full-sized COA.
