Description
“ZACHARIAS PREACHES IN THE TEMPLE”. FIRST STATE. Plate 1 of 6 in the series “The Life of John the Baptist”, 1564. Conceptual Artist: Maarten Heemskerck (signature). Engraver: Philips Galle (signature). Publisher: Philips Galle (likely). Ref: New Hollstein 307.1 (Heemskerck). Dated 1564. HADR. IVN. is Hadrianus Junias a/k/a Adriaen de Jonghe, a renowned physician in Haarlem, Holland; the signature is original. Image cut about 1/3rd inch outside of plate, 10.25″ x 7.75″. With margins, 11″ x 8.4″. A clean and sharp and fine impression, highly detailed. Crown and Cross watermark. Verso: older hanging tape, upper corners. Excellent example of Netherlandish engraving in its heyday, exquisitely detailed. The scene is from the story in Luke 1, the annunciation, by the angel Gabriel, of the birth of John the Baptist, to Zacharias where he is offering incense in the Temple.
Engraving and COA set in a museum-quality Bifold Portfolio of linen cloth and silk moire, within archival sleeves; COA on premium “gold leaf” paper with gold seal and signature.
