36 - Heinrich Aldegrever - Leda with the Swan and Hercules as a Child - 1550

Heinrich Aldegrever - Leda with the Swan and Hercules as a Child - 1550 Description: Heinrich Aldegrever (1502–1562), Leda with the Swan and Hercules as a Child, 1550. Engraving, signed with monogram and dated on a tablet at lower right. Depicting Leda, nude, embracing the swan, and Hercules as an infant in his cradle, accompanied by a young girl standing beside him. With the engraved text line: “Amphitrioniades geminos interficit angues / Monstra novercali plena furore puer”. This print is the first plate from the celebrated series of thirteen engravings, The Labors of Hercules, engraved by Aldegrever in 1550. An outstanding early impression of exceptional quality, with distinguished provenance. Formerly in the collection of Ambroise Firmin-Didot (Lugt 119), son of the renowned publisher Firmin Didot. Ambroise Firmin-Didot assembled one of the great nineteenth-century print collections, celebrated for both its richness and the quality of its impressions; the collection was dispersed in Paris in 1877. Subsequently in the collection of Juan Jorge Peoli (Lugt 2020), whose collection was auctioned in New York in 1894. Later acquired by Metropolitan Museum of Art (Lugt 1943). The sheet was eventually deaccessioned as a duplicate impression, as indicated by the “Metropolitan Duplicate” stamp (Lugt 1808h), a mark used from 1923 onward, and was finally acquired from Sotheby's by the present owner. Rare in this exceptionally fine and early impression, with superb provenance. Dimensions: 10,20 x 6,80 cm Condition: Outstanding, richly inked early impression in excellent condition. Minor foxing and a small, unobtrusive rubbed area on the swan’s wing, otherwise fine. Trimmed on or just outside the plate mark. Literature: New Hollstein (German) / The New Hollstein: German engravings, etchings and woodcuts 1400-1700 (83) (Aldegrever)(83) ----- Bartsch / Le Peintre graveur (VIII.391.83) Medium: Engraving Date: 1529