An Album

Maarten van Heemskerck was one of the earliest and most influential Dutch artists to adopt the innovations of the Italian renaissance, earning him the sobriquet of the ‘Raphael of Holland’. His own very distinctive type of northern mannerism is characterised by a frenetic theatricality; highly detailed, densely complex compositions full of movement and exaggerated action. His large oeuvre of prints was highly significant in disseminating mannerism in Northern Europe, and provided new modes of expression for later Dutch artists, including Rembrandt. Unusually, at a time when engravings were routinely used to copy works conceived in other mediums, Heemskerck made detailed preparatory drawings with the specific intention of making them into prints, enlisting the services of some of the leading professional etchers and engravers of his day. Included in this album are plates by Cornelis Bos (circa 1510-before 1566), Hieronymus Cock (circa 1510-1570), Dirck Volkertsz. Coornhert (1522-1590), Cornelis Cort (1533-before 1578), Johannes van Deutecum (circa 1558-circa 1593), Pieter van der Heyden (circa 1530–after 1572), Harman Jansz. Muller (circa 1540-1617), Jan van Stalburch and Johan Wierix (1549-circa 1618). Many of the subjects depicted are episodes from the Old and New Testaments, and the Apocrypha, often showing familiar subjects in highly unconventional and innovative ways. Like Dürer, Heemskerck’s illustrations of biblical scenes were enormously influential, and extensively copied. Other themes include classical mythology and allegories, a series of naked wrestlers and duellers, and the ‘eight’ wonders of the ancient world, with Heemskerck’s addition of the Colosseum in Rome to the conventional seven.

This album includes the engraved portrait of the artist by Henrik Hondius, dated 1610, and comprises only early impressions in first and second states. Bound in 17th century covers, it is the largest survey of its kind to have appeared on the market in the last three decades.