Description
Large 17th Century Engraving – Saint Augustine inEcstasy – Pieter de Jode after Anthony van Dyck – State III
This engraving by master Flemish engraver Pieter de Jodethe Younger (1606–1674) is based on Heilige Augustinus van Hippo in extase ( Saint Augustine in Ecstasy ), painted by the celebrated Baroque masterAnthony van Dyck (1599–1641). The original altarpiece, commissioned in 1628 forthe Augustinian Church ( Sint-Augustinuskerk ) in Antwerp, is now housedin the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp. It is considered one of van Dyck’smost important religious works.
The painting portrays Saint Augustine of Hippo(354–430)—one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church—in a moment ofspiritual ecstasy as he experiences the divine presence of the Trinity.Beginning in 1630, van Dyck collaborated with leading Antwerp engravers,including Pieter de Jode the Younger (and his father), to distribute engravedreproductions of his paintings. Van Dyck personally supervised these engravingsto ensure fidelity to his vision.
This impression contains van Dyck’s Latin dedication tohis sister, Susanna van Dyck, an Augustinian canoness—highlighting itsdevotional and familial resonance.
There are four known states of this print. The fourth andmost widely distributed state includes the inscription “A. Bonenfantexcudit” , added by Antoon Goetkindt (1580–1644), a major 17th-centuryAntwerp publisher. The current impression lacks this Bonenfant inscriptionwhile retaining van Dyck’s dedication, identifying it as State III, producedbetween 1628–1637—before Bonenfant acquired the plate.
This print is also held in major museum collections,including: • The British Museum ( State IV ) • The Royal Academy of Arts ( State III ) • The Rijksmuseum ( State III )
Dimensions
• Paper: 20.5 × 12.5 in
Inscriptions
• Lower left (in image): Anton. van Dyck invent. • Lower right (in image): Petr. de Iode iun. sculp. • Center below image: Cum privilegio Regis • Under image: “Aurelius … / … vtrimq[ue] bonis.” “Honestæ ac virtutem … char.mæ D.D.Q. / Ant. van Dyck”
Condition Report
• Image in fair condition; strong, crisp ink lines • Printed on laid paper, unmounted • Two holes (approx. 0.2–0.3 in diameter), visible from front • Three edge tears (top and bottom), reinforced with tape on verso • Water stains on top and bottom margins • Minor paper discoloration and foxing • Six tape repairs on verso along top/bottom edges • Tape marks at corners and edges on verso from previous mounting
Provenance
• Merrill’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, FormalDecorative Arts & Antiquarian Prints
Disclaimer
I have conducted thorough research to ensure the accuracyand authenticity of this piece to the best of my ability. However, it is soldas is, with no guarantees or warranties regarding its provenance or historicalattribution.
