OMNP previews selected lots from today’s sale of Old Master prints at Sotheby’s London. Overall estimates from this sale seem to be much higher in terms of the quality of work being offered, in comparison to Christie’s. Below is a listing of lots, organized by price range.
Around £5,000 GBP
Lot 2
ALBRECHT DÜRER
THE HOLY FAMILY WITH THE BUTTERFLY (B. 44; M., HOLL. 42)
plate: 233 by 184mm; 9 1/4 by 7 1/4 in
Engraving, circa 1495, a fairly good impression from the second half of the 16th century, Meder K, on paper with a Cross watermark (M. 156), trimmed to the platemark, with thread margins in places, a horizontal fold across lower part of image, with associated tear and repairs, paper discoloration and occasional fox marks, other minor defects
Estimate: 3,000—4,000 GBP
Lot 3
HENDRIK GOLTZIUS
1558-1617
THE GREAT STANDARD-BEARER (HOLLSTEIN 255; STRAUSS 253)
sheet: 277 by 192mm; 10 7/8 by 7 5/8 in
Estimate: 3,000—5,000 GBP
Lot 4
HENDRICK GOLTZIUS
1558-1617
THE TRIUMPH OF GALATEA (HOLL. 313; S. 288)
sheet: 570 by 422mm; 22 3/8 by 16 5/8 in
Engraving after Raphael, 1592, a fine impression of the first state (of two), on paper with a Six Pointed Star in Circle watermark, trimmed to or just within the platemark, ink stain on figure at extreme right, several repaired tears at edges of sheet, central horizontal and vertical folds, backed with a thin sheet, other minor defects
Estimate: 3,000—4,000 GBP
Lot 5
HENDRICK GOLTZIUS
1558-1617
THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI (HOLL. 13; S. 320)
measurements
sheet: 460 by 347mm; 18 1/8 by 13 5/8 in
alternate measurements
sheet: 301 by 630mm; 11 7/8 by 24 3/4 in
Engraving, 1594, a good impression of the second state (of five), with the monogram and before the addition of the numeral 5 on the stone at left, on paper with Letters FM in Blason watermark (cf. Heawood 3196, dated 1606), trimmed to borderline, lacking blank space with verses below, a central horizontal fold with associated repairs and touches of pen and ink, a small tear at upper right corners, thin areas, slight paper discoloration, other minor defects; and Agostino Veneziano, The Carcass (B. 426), engraving after Raphael, a good impression with initial AV added to the horn at left, trimmed to borderline on three sides, cut circa 8mm at right, vertical folds, paper losses and plugged holes with touches of pen and ink at center and lower right edge of sheet, some tears, backed on a sheet, other restorations
Quantity: 2
Estimate: 3,000—4,000 GBP
Lot 21
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
THE DEATH OF THE VIRGIN (BARTSCH, HOLLSTEIN 99; HIND 161, BJORKLUND & BARNARD 39-A)
Etching, 1639, a third (final) state, laid down and glued to mount-window, slight paper discoloration and occasional fox marks (unexamined out of mount)
Estimate: 3,000—4,000 GBP
Lot 23
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
SELF PORTRAIT IN A FLAT CAP AND EMBROIDERED DRESS (B., HOLL. 26; H. 157; BB. 38-1)
plate: 85 by 62mm; 3 3/8 by 2 1/2 in
Etching, circa 1642, only state, signature faded but before the slipt stroke through the eye, with thread margins, cut circa 8mm below, a small repair in blank area at left, thin areas at corners
Estimate: 3,000—4,000 GBP
£5,000-10,000 GBP
Lot 7
FRANCISCO GOYA Y LUCIENTES
1746-1828
QUIEN SE PONDRA EL GASCABEL AL GATO? (DISPARATE DE BESTIA) (DELTEIL 222; HARRIS 268)
plate: 227 by 337mm; 8 7/8 by 13 1/4 in
alternate measurements
plate: 212 by 150mm; 8 3/8 by 5 7/8 in
Etching with aquatint, one from the set of four additional plates prepared for Los Proverbios, a fine proof impression, before the edition with text published in L’Art under the title Una Reina del Circo, on thin fibrous japan paper, with margins, some pale fox marks and soft creases mainly in the margins, otherwise in good condition; and Las Rinde El Sueno (D. 71; H. 69), etching with aquatint by the same, plate 34 from Los Caprichos, a good impression probably from the second edition circa 1855, on wove paper, with margins, some pale fox marks, otherwise in good condition
Quantity: 2
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 9
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI
1720-1778
TITLE PAGE; S. LORENZA FUORI LE MURA; AND THE PALAZZO DELL’ ACCADEMIA DI FRANCIA (H. 1, 12, 24)
sheet: each circa 520 by 720mm; 20 1/2 by 28 3/8 in
Etchings, circa 1748-1752, three plates from the Vedute di Roma, fine impressions of the third, second and second state (of five respectively), all contemporary Roman editions, Hind’s state B3, on paper with a Fleur-de-Lys in Double Circle watermark, with margins, usual central vertical fold, a few fox marks, occasional handling creases and slight paper discoloration
Quantity: 3
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 10
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI
1720-1778
S. CROCE IN GERUSALEMME; THE PIAZZA DELLA ROTONDA, WITH THE PANTHEON AND OBELISK; THE PALAZZO DI MONTE CITORIO (H. 11, 17, 23)
sheet: each circa 520 by 720mm; 20 1/2 by 28 3/8 in
Etchings, 1750-1752, three plates from the Vedute di Roma, fine impressions of the third, fourth and first state (of six, seven and four respectively), all contemporary Roman editions, Hind’s state B3, on paper with a Fleur-de-Lys in Double Circle watermark, with margins, usual central vertical fold, occasional fox marks and handling creases, otherwise in generally good condition
Quantity: 3
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 11
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI
1720-1778
S. GIOVANNI IN LATERANO; THE PIAZZA DI SPAGNA; THE PALAZZO BARBERINI; THE SMALLER HARBOUR, CALLED THE PORTO DI RIPETTA (H. 8, 18, 25, 28)
sheet: each circa 520 by 720mm; 20 1/2 by 28 3/8 in
Etchings, circa 1749-1753, four plates from the Vedute di Roma, fine impressions of the third, fourth, second and fourth state (of six, eight, five, and eight respectively), all contemporary editions, Hind’s state B3, on paper with a Fleur-de-Lys in Double Circle watermark, with margins, the usual central vertical fold, occasional pale fox marks and handling creases, otherwise in good condition
Quantity: 4
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 17
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI
1720-1778
THE PIAZZA NAVONA, WITH S. AGNESE ON THE RIGHT; AND THE PONTE SALARIO (H. 16, 31)
measurements
h. 4 sheet 490 by 740mm; 19 1/4 by 29 1/8 in
h. 16, 31 sheet circa 520 by 720mm; 20 1/2 by 28 3/8 in
Etchings, circa 1751-1754, two plates from the Vedute di Roma, fine impressions of the fourth and second state (of six and five respectively), all contemporary Roman editions, Hind’s state B3, on paper with a Fleur-de-Lys in Double Circle watermark, with margins, usual central vertical fold, occasional handling creases and a few pale fox marks, otherwise in generally good condition; and St. Peter’s, Interior with the Nave (H. 4), etching, 1748, from the Vedute di Roma, a good, lightly etched impression of the first state (of six), contemporary Roman edition, Hind’s state B1, on paper with a Fleurs-de-Lys in Single Circle watermark, with margins, usual central vertical fold, pale paper discoloration and surface dirt
Quantity: 3
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 20
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI
1720-1778
VASI CANDELABRI CIPPI SARCOFAGI TRIPODI LUCERNE ED ORNAMENTI ANTICHI (F. 601-718)
sheet: each circa 555 by 780mm; 21 5/8 by 30 3/4 in
Etchings, 1778, volume one, title and 52 plates, volume two, frontispiece and 51 plates, each on paper with Fleur-de-Lys in a Single and Double Circle watermark (cf. Robison wmk. 20 and 36), with margins, the usual central vertical fold, occasional fox marks and handling creases, volume one a few plates with a fold across lower right corner, otherwise in generally good condition
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 22
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
NUDE MAN SEATED ON THE GROUND WITH ONE LEG EXTENDED; THE SECOND ORIENTAL HEAD; BUST OF A MAN WEARING A HIGH CAP; STUDIES OF THE HEAD OF SASKIA AND OTHERS; AND THREE HEADS OF WOMEN (B., HOLL. 196, 287, 321, 365, 367; H. 221, 132, 22, 145, 153; BB. 46-C, 35-4, 30-F, 36-B; 37-3)
Etchings, circa 1630-1646, five plates, B. 196 and 321 second (final) state, B. 287 and 365 only state, B. 367 third (final) state, paper discoloration, backboard-staining, glued down to support, other minor defects
Quantity: 5
Estimate: 5,000—7,000 GBP
Lot 24
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
MAN AT A DESK WEARING A CROSS AND CHAIN (B., HOLL. 261; H. 189; BB. 41-L)
Estimate: 5,000—7,000 GBP
Lot 25
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
OLD MAN WITH BEARD, FUR CAP AND VELVET CLOAK (B., HOLL. 262; H. 92; BB. 32-2)
plate: 149 by 129mm; 5 7/8 by 5 1/8 in
Etching, circa 1632, a good impression of the second state (of three), with touches of burr, on paper with a Strasbourg Lily watermark, trimmed to the platemark, re-margined, a few touches of grey wash along the right side of the sitter’s face, a vertical fold at right edge of image
Estimate: 4,000—6,000 GBP
Lot 27
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
THE BOAT HOUSE (GROTTO WITH A BROOK; HET SPELONKJE) (B., HOLL. 231; H. 211; BB. 45-C)
Estimate: 3,000—5,000 GBP
Lot 30
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
THE FOURTH ORIENTAL HEAD (B., HOLL. 289; H. 134; BB. 35-5)
sheet: 158 by 132mm; 6 1/4 by 5 1/8 in
Etching, circa 1635, a good impression of this scarce portrait, the second state (of three), on paper with a Foolscap with Seven-Pointed Collar watermark, trimmed just within the platemark, touches of pen and ink, a diagonal crease in blank area above, lower right corner repaired, other minor defects
Estimate: 6,500—8,000 GBP
£10,000 GBP and up
Lot 1
ALBRECHT DÜRER
NEMESIS (BARTSCH 77; MEDER, HOLLSTEIN 72)
sheet: 333 by 229mm; 13 1/8 by 9in
Estimate: 20,000—30,000 GBP
Lot 8
GIOVANNI BATTISTA AND FRANCESCO PIRANESI
1720-1778 AND 1756-1810
OPERA, COMPRISING 22 WORKS IN 15 VOLUMES
Estimate: 150,000—200,000 GBP
Lot 19
GIOVANNI BATTISTA AND FRANCESCO PIRANESI
1720-1778 AND 1756-1810
DIFFERENTES VUES DE QUELQUES RESTES DE TROIS GRANDS EDIFICES QUI SUBSISTENT ENCORE DANS LE MILIEU DE L’ANCIENNE VILLE DE PESTO (F. 583-599; W.-E. 717-737)
sheet: each circa 550 by 780mm; 21 5/8 by 30 3/4 in
Etchings, 1777-1778, frontispiece and 20 plates, on laid paper, the majority with Fleur-de-lys in a Double Circle watermark (cf. Robison wmk. 36), with margins, the usual central vertical fold, in generally good condition, bound in paper boards
Estimate: 12,000—18,000 GBP
Lot 29
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
1606-1669
MEDEA: OR THE MARRIAGE OF JASON AND CREUSA (B., HOLL. 112; H. 235; BB. 48-E)
measurements
plate: 238 by 178mm; 9 3/8 by 7in
alternate measurements
sheet: 255 by 196mm; 10 by 7 3/4 in
Etching, 1648, a good impression of the fourth state (of five), before the removal of the verses, with margins, a few fox marks, paper losses in top margins at center and tip of upper right corner (not affecting the image), thin areas at edges of sheet with associated small tears in left margin, otherwise in good condition
Estimate: 8,000—12,000 GBP
