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Lot Essay
The scene is from the Story of Ahab, Jezebel and Naboth (1 Kings 21:8-10), which was engraved in a series of six by Galle. Heemskerck's drawings for Hollstein nos. 132, 134 and 136-7, also dated 1561, are preserved in the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin; a Dutch private Collection; the British Museum and the Courtauld Institute, London, respectively. Galle faithfully followed Heemskerck's drawing, only changing the documents below the book shelf in the centre, but adding the stool before the table which is lightly indicated in black chalk in the present drawing.
Heemskerck, active in Haarlem under Jan van Scorel in 1527-32, is known to have followed in his master's footsteps travelling to Italy, probably returning to Haarlem by 1536. Though he also worked as a painter and designer of stained glass, his main activity was the invention of a large number of print series. First executing his own etchings, he soon relied on others to engrave his drawings and publish his designs. The production was such that even Vasari heard about Haarlem as an important centre for prints through those by and after Heemskerck.
Heemskerck, active in Haarlem under Jan van Scorel in 1527-32, is known to have followed in his master's footsteps travelling to Italy, probably returning to Haarlem by 1536. Though he also worked as a painter and designer of stained glass, his main activity was the invention of a large number of print series. First executing his own etchings, he soon relied on others to engrave his drawings and publish his designs. The production was such that even Vasari heard about Haarlem as an important centre for prints through those by and after Heemskerck.