12459 Johannes Stradanus (1523–1605) – King Arsaces Taming a Leopard – Engraving (1578)
"Magnus Parthorum maculis Rex versicolorem". This late sixteenth-century engraving illustrates a scene from classical history or mythology featuring Arsaces, the King of the Parthians. The central composition depicts the monarch in regal attire, accompanied by his court and soldiers, as he tames or dedicates a large leopard adorned with a decorative collar. The background features a detailed landscape with cavalry, pikemen, and a distant leopard in the wild, creating a narrative contrast between the untamed beast and the domesticated predator. This plate is part of the influential series Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium, which documented diverse hunting methods and animal lore. It was published in Antwerp by Philip Galle.
Johannes Stradanus, born Jan van der Straet, was a Flemish artist who spent most of his career in Florence working for the Medici family. He was a versatile designer of tapestries, frescoes, and prints, known for his ability to synthesize Northern European detail with Italian Mannerist style. His most enduring legacy is the Venationes series, for which he provided the original drawings that were subsequently engraved by the skilled members of the Collaert and Galle workshops. Stradanus’s work was instrumental in popularizing natural history and sporting subjects across Europe during the Renaissance.
Artist or Maker: Jan Collaert II (Engraver); Johannes Stradanus (Artist).
Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 31 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: 1578.
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
| Estimate | 300 - 400 SEK |
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| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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