Religion · 17th century
€ 230
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good condition. Strong, clean impression with wide margins. Minor toning and faint foxing at edges, with light handling marks consistent with age. Images remain crisp and richly detailed.
Healing of the Centurion’s Servant & Christ Calming the Storm, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Original antique engraving from Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700. This plate illustrates two powerful miracles of Christ, emphasizing his divine authority in both human affairs and the natural world.
The upper scene depicts the Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matthew VIII, 5–13). A Roman officer, accompanied by soldiers, approaches Christ in supplication, asking that his paralyzed servant be healed. The composition shows the centurion in a deferential pose before Christ, while disciples and bystanders observe. The urban architectural background situates the episode in a public setting, reinforcing the humility of the centurion’s faith. Christ’s calm and authoritative gesture underscores the message that healing comes through faith, not physical presence.
The lower scene presents the dramatic episode of Christ Calming the Storm (Matthew VIII, 23–27). A small boat carrying Christ and his disciples is tossed violently by towering waves. While some disciples cling desperately to the vessel, others turn in panic to awaken Christ, who remains serene amidst the chaos. The swirling seas and darkened skies convey the overwhelming danger, yet also highlight the contrast with Christ’s divine authority, soon to bring calm to the storm.
Together, these engravings contrast humility and faith in the face of illness with fear and trust in the midst of danger. Mortier’s engravers combine detailed human expression with powerful natural and architectural settings, creating images both dramatic and instructive for devotional reflection.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Strong, clean impression with wide margins. Minor toning and faint foxing at edges, with light handling marks consistent with age. Images remain crisp and richly detailed.
Framing tips:
A cream or parchment-toned double-aperture mat will emphasize the thematic contrast between faith expressed through the centurion’s humility and divine authority over the forces of nature. A walnut or ebonized frame will give solemn dignity, while a gilt frame enhances the sacred drama of the scenes.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier, Amsterdam, ca. 1700
