Jean MATHEUS 1619 Engraving of Callisto & Arcas, Ovid, Ursa Major & Ursa Minor

Description: Jean MATHEUS copper engraving of Callisto and Arcas, Ovid's Metamorphoses, 1619 In Greek mythology, the story of Callisto and Arcas is used to explain the origin of the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Sheet: 4.6 inches tall x 5.6 inches wide. Trimmed just outside plate mark. French text on reverse. French engraver Jean Matheus (c.1590–1672) flourished during the 1620s, and is best known for this work: his engravings in Nicholas Renouard's celebrated edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses, published in Paris in 1619. His engraved portraits of saints are often seen offered on bookseller sites. This is a quite early impression of the Callisto and Arcas image from that book, with very rich blacks and sharp incision edges that show the miniaturized engraved plate-work was quite new. Oil-based intaglio inks are micro-abrasives: powdered vine and bone charcoal and lamp black suspended in oil. As an engraved copper plate is editioned, repeatedly working the ink into the lines of the plate and then wiping the surface clear to print gradually erodes the edges of the incisions, making the lines print less sharply. The camera can't fully capture the clarity and contrast of this impression, but it's really sharp. The last picture shows what the image in an intact book looked like to readers in the 1600s; I think it's at The Getty. The book is NOT included in this lot. Safely shipped in archival glassine in a rigid mailer. Thank you for looking. I hope you’ll consider checking out my other listings, and enjoy your day.

Price: 75 USD

Location: Chicago, Illinois

End Time: 2025-01-01T05:39:25.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD