Description
Frontispiece to the Bible – 17 th CenturyEngraving – Claude Mellan after Nicolas Poussin – George Zorin Collection
A 1642 engraving by Claude Mellan (1598–1688) after adesign by Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665), commissioned for the frontispiece of anedition of the Bible published by the Imprimerie Royale. It depicts allegoricalfigures of History (left), Prophecy (right), and God the Father above. Theprint exhibits Mellan’s signature style of using only modulated variations ofengraved lines to describe tonal value, rather than employing cross-hatching.Other impressions of this print are held in major institutional collections,including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Harvard Art Museums.
According to the catalogue raisonné Inventaire dufonds français. Graveurs du XVIIe siècle , tome 17 (BN XVII, no. 294), animpression without inscriptions such as this one belongs to an early state(either state I or II), printed before use as the published frontispiece. Thedistinction between state II and the rarer state I lies in the treatment of theoak-leaf border: in state I it is only lightly sketched in drypoint, while instate II it is fully engraved. Based on this criterion, the present impressioncorresponds to a state II print, matching the impression held by the HarvardArt Museums. By the same criterion, the impression in the Metropolitan Museumof Art, though catalogued as state I(?)/III, also appears to correspond tostate II.
The print is in fair condition. It has been trimmedinside the plate mark. The engraved lines remain crisp and strong, and thepaper shows minor age-related toning. The upper right and lower left cornersexhibit minor damage. Several small tears and handling marks are visible alongthe edges. The verso bears collector’s notes and a collector’s stamp from thenoted New York art dealer and collector George Zorin. Please refer to thepictures for conditions.
Medium: Engraving on laid paper with grape watermark (typicalfor 16-17 th Century French paper) Year: 1642 Printmaker: Claude Mellan Designer: Nicolas Poussin Publisher: Imprimerie royale
Dimensions • Image: 16.25 × 10.25 in
Condition Report: • Trimmed inside the plate mark • Minor age-related toning • Minor damage at the upper right and lower left corners • Minor tears and handling marks along the edges • Inscriptions by a previous collector on the verso • Strong impression with crisp line quality • Unframed
Catalogue raisonné: BN XVII.181.294, state II (of III)
Provenance: • George Zorin Collection (stamp on verso) • Weschler’s Auctioneers & Appraisers
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy and authenticity of thisartwork through careful research. However, this item is sold as-is, with nowarranties or guarantees regarding attribution or provenance.
