ISAAC CORDIER DATED 1629 Copper-Plate Engraving
A Very Small Late Renaissance / Early Baroque Engraving with Grotesques and Strapwork Decoration by Isaac Cordier Dated 1629. A 17th Century Impression on Laid Paper.
SOLD
- Condition
- In good condition with narrow margins, so tape to verso.
- Size
- Height : 7 cm (2 3/4 inches)
- Provenance
- Frederick Augustus II of Saxony (German 1797 - 1854), Collectors mark (Lugt 971).
- Stock number
- 24404
Photos
Information
The mask in the center of the engraving bares a strong resemblance to those found on Meissen and Du Paquier porcelain. As this print is known to have belonged to Frederick Augustus II of Saxony it is possible the print originally belonged to his relative Augustus II (1670-1733) King of Poland and Elector of Saxony known as Augustus the Strong who started the Meissen factory.
Grotesques :
Is a style started during the Renaissance when Roman wall decoration was being uncovered, especially important was the discovery of Nero`s Golden House on the Esquille. The subterranean ruins were known in Italy as `grotte`, hence the name Grotesques. The style became fashionable from the second quarter of the 16th century but was reinvented many times. Peacham in his Graphice (1612) described it thus "an unnatural or unorderly composition for delight`s sake, of men, beasts, birds, fishes, flowers etc. without (as we say) Rime or Reason".