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SILVER Seller in Milano, Italy
Johan Sadeler I (Brussels 1550 - Venice 1600). The Sadelers were a family of Flemish artists, mainly reproduction engravers, active throughout Europe between the 16th and 17th centuries. The style of the family members is very similar and not always easily distinguishable. For three generations, moving from Holland to Italy, stopping in Germany and Prague, these engravers, publishers and print merchants played a central role in the dissemination of images. From 1572 Jan/Johan worked in Antwerp, then the world centre of printing. He also became a master of the Guild of St. Luke. With his younger brother Rafael the Elder he initially moved to Cologne but the turmoil of the Dutch revolt forced the Antwerp artists to move, so the Sadeler family came to Italy in 1593, to Venice where they opened a print shop. The subject is derived from a painting by Marten de Vos and can be considered a motet-composition. Depicted enthroned are the Virgin and Saint Anne who, in their richly draped garments, caress and observe Jesus looking upwards. Here, amidst swelling clouds, a host of putti in different poses: some play the violin, some the trumpet and some hold a heavy staff. An interesting document for the history of music. The score in fact faithfully reproduces the music of composer Cornelis Verdonck (1563 - 1625), the motet in four parts: Ave gratia plena. The print is one of thirteen notes depicting a vanished original and it is thanks to these prints that such scores are known to us today. The author describes with attention to detail the decorations on the throne, the flowers scattered at its base and the architecture behind it. In the background engraved on the right: M de vos pix. and on the left: JSadeler auth scapl/Antwerpe 1584. Good though late impression, good margins beyond the engraving. Some restoration visible mostly along the left margin, a few stains on the verso. One copy is in the V&A Museum.
ID: 11318-1702380041-78508
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