Description
Miracle of Christ on the Sea [of Galilee]. FIRST STATE, 1574/1585 (originally produced in 1574, published in with certainty in 1585 according to Fitzwilliam Museum, citing a series of 12 plates titled “The Miracles of Jesus”), from de Jode’s 1585 masterpiece, Thesaurus Novi Testamenti. Reference: New Hollstein 34.1 (Muller). The plate was likely printed in 1574 but not published until 1579-1585, but this one certainly by 1585 and is considered by NH as the First State of two. The presumptive original designer: Maarten de Vos. The engraver: Harman Jansz. Muller (signature on starboard side, front). The publisher: Gerard de Jode (see signature on wave crest, left side near plate margin). Plate is uncut on laid paper, a clear and sharp impression. Some fold-wrinkles at the upper corner and a bit inside the plate edge, more so around the margins outside the plate. Plate itself is 10.1″ x 8.3″. Margins extend 13.0″ x 10.5″.
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! Note that this plate incorrectly cites Mathei/Matthew 4. The engraving features prominently in the Hexham Abbey Bible, a scene replicated by many subsequent artists, including the famous painting by Rembrandt van Rijn, “Storm on the Sea of Galilee” 1633, stolen from a Boston museum in 1990 and never recovered — a testament to its enduring popularity.
Engraving is set in a museum-quality, Landscape Portfolio, with full-sized COA. FRAME is NOT INCLUDED.
