FRANS FLORIS (CIRCA 1519-1570)

Victory surrounded by her Trophies

Details

FRANS FLORIS (CIRCA 1519-1570)
Victory surrounded by her Trophies
etching, 1552, on laid paper, without watermark, a very good impression of New Hollstein's first state (of three), published by Hieronymus Cock, Antwerp, with his address, trimmed inside the platemark but retaining a fillet of blank paper outside the borderline in most places, the upper left corner skilfully made up, a few minor thin spots, otherwise in good condition
Sheet 316 x 437 mm.

Provenance

Unidentified (Lugt 4073).

Literature

Hollstein 4; New Hollstein 156
C. van de Velde, Frans Floris (1519/20-1570): Leven en Werken, Brussels, 1975, no. 30.
J. van Grieken, G. Luijten, J. van der Stock (eds.), Hieronymus Cock: The Renaissance in Print, Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels, & Fondation Custodia, Paris (exh.cat.), 2013, no. 86 (another impression illustrated).

Brought to you by

Tim Schmelcher

tschmelcher@christies.com +44 20 7389 2268

Lot Essay

Following a victory of the Habsburgs over the Ottoman Empire, Frans Floris was commissioned by the State of Genoa to contribute a painting to a triumphal arch for the entry of Charles V and his successor Philip into Antwerp in 1549. This etching, the only one created by Floris himself, is based on the design of his painting, now lost, commemorating this victory. It depicts an allegory of Victory, surrounded by trophies and the slain or captive enemies.

It is the claustrophobic density and the free and spontaneous etching style that makes the charm of this very unusual print.

More from Old Master Prints

View All