Marine Life · 17th century
€ 230
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good impression on strong laid paper with wide margins. Some mild toning and light spotting at the lower edge, consistent with age. Verso blank.
Antique Biblical Engravings – Peter Finds the Coin in the Fish’s Mouth & Christ Foretells His Passion, ca. 1700
This elegant engraving sheet, published by Pieter Mortier in Amsterdam around 1700, presents two Gospel episodes filled with symbolic teaching. The upper scene illustrates Matthew 17:24–27, where Peter is commanded by Christ to catch a fish, within whose mouth he finds a coin to pay the temple tax. The engraving shows Peter kneeling at the seashore with the fish and coin in hand, while the fortified city of Capernaum rises in the background. The composition stresses both the miraculous provision of Christ and the theme of obedience, underscoring the lesson that divine authority fulfills earthly obligations.
The lower engraving depicts Christ’s instruction to His disciples, drawn from Matthew 18:1–5. At the center, Christ is seated, surrounded by His followers, while a small child approaches Him. He declares that unless one becomes like a child, one cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. The artist captures the humility and innocence embodied in the child, contrasted with the expressions of the disciples who listen attentively. The architectural setting with its arches and colonnades frames the scene, emphasizing Christ as the focal figure.
Together, these paired engravings highlight two essential Christian teachings: the provision of God in practical needs and the call to childlike humility as a condition of discipleship. The detail in landscape and architecture enhances the biblical narrative while reflecting the artistic standards of late 17th-century Dutch engraving. Produced as part of Mortier’s monumental illustrated Bible, these prints exemplify the union of scripture and fine art in Baroque devotional culture.
Condition: Very good impression on strong laid paper with wide margins. Some mild toning and light spotting at the lower edge, consistent with age. Verso blank.
Framing tips: A tall vertical frame best preserves the integrity of the original sheet. Use an ivory or cream mat to bring out the fine linear detail, with a dark wood or black frame for a sober, dignified presentation. A gilt frame can add warmth, appropriate to sacred subject matter.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier (publisher), Amsterdam, ca. 1700
