Description
“WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD”. FIRST/ONLY STATE, Printed in G. de Jode’s monumental Thesaurus Novi Testamenti, 1580-1585. Conceptual Artist: Ambrosius Francken. Engraver: Jan Collaert I. Publisher: Gerard de Jode (signature). Reference: uncatalogued, but in same series of parables as others in de Jode’s Thesaurus, but the date of actual printing is unclear. Image cut to plate and pasted onto heavier laid paper, 11.2″ x 9.2″; full margins 13″ x 10″. A clean and sharp impression, lightly “washed” to simulate antiquity (a normal process). No. 41 in pen, bottom right. A fine example of Netherlandish engraving in its heyday, nicely detailed. The scene, alternatively called “Laborers in the Vineyard,” is taken from Matthew 20:1-16 in which all workers, no matter how little or much they worked, received the same daily wage.
Engraving and COA set in a large museum-quality Bifold Portfolio of linen cloth and silk moire, within archival sleeves; COA on premium “gold leaf” paper with gold seal and signature.
