148 - Jan Van der Straet, Nova Reperta - The invention of oil painting

Jan Van der Straet, Nova Reperta - The invention of oil painting Description: The invention of oil painting, traditionally attributed to Jan van Eyck; the famous Netherlandish painter is shown at work in his busy workshop, painting Saint George and the Dragon on a large canvas. Around him assistants and apprentices perform the various activities of the painter's studio: painting a portrait from life, drawing, preparing colors and grinding pigments. The scene offers a fascinating and highly detailed representation of the working practices of a late sixteenth-century artist's workshop. Engraving by Hans (Jan) Collaert II (1566–1628) after Johannes Stradanus (Jan van der Straet, 1523–1605). Plate 14 from the celebrated series Nova Reperta, devoted to important inventions and discoveries of the modern age. This impression from the edition published by Joannes Galle (1600–1676), whose address “Ioan. Galle excud.” appears below the image. Lettered below: “COLOR OLIVI. Colorem olivi commodum pictoribus, Invenit insignis magister Eyckius. — celebrating Jan van Eyck as the supposed inventor of oil painting, a tradition that became widespread through the writings of Giorgio Vasari. A particularly attractive and historically fascinating composition from the Nova Reperta, combining an early representation of the artist's workshop with the Renaissance tradition concerning Jan van Eyck and the invention of oil painting. Dimensions: 20,40 x 27,10 cm Condition: Excellent impression on laid paper from the period, with the full plate border, with good margins, watermarked. A flattened middle fold with a small closed tear, verso clean. Overall in very good condition. Literature: New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) / The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts 1450-1700 (337.III) (Johannes Stradanus)(337.III) ----- Baroni Vannucci 1997 / Jan van der Straet, detto Giovanni Stradano, flandrus pictor et inventor (697.14) Medium: Engraving Date: 1580-1605