5166 - Crispijn de Passe the Elder

Crispijn de Passe the Elder The Four Continents. 4 copperplate engravings. Each approx. 5.2 x 10.3 cm. Hollstein 601–604. In addition to his well-known large-format series depicting the four continents (Hollstein 597–600), Crispijn de Passe the Elder created a second, small-format series depicting the four continents at the beginning of the 17th century. Like the larger series, this one is also based on his own imagination and was self-published by the artist. De Passe, who was not only a gifted copperplate engraver but also the founder of a dynasty of highly successful print publishers, presents here a condensed, iconographically complex interpretation of the popular theme of the continents. There are clearly recognizable echoes of Adriaen Collaert’s 1594 series of the four continents, based on designs by Maarten de Vos (New Hollstein 1314–1317), which ranks among the most influential visual representations of the subject. This small-format series is rare and is missing, among other places, from the collections of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the British Museum. Excellent, bold prints, trimmed to the plate edges, some with minimal margins. Minor handling flaws in the corners and margins; one sheet has a small tear in the margin; other minor signs of age; otherwise in fine condition. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.