Theodoor Galle (c. 1571-1633) Adrian Collaert (c.1560-1618) after Maerten de Vos (1532 – 1603)
44. Pilatus accepta aqua, lauans manus coram populo, dixit, Innocens ego sum a sanguine insti huius vos videritus. Matth. 27.

Engraving
From Vita, Passio, et Resurrectio Iesu Christi first published 1598, this a later edition published by Joannes Galle (1600-1676)
17.5x22cm

From the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27 “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.””

Theodoor Galle was the son of Philip Galle, a Dutch publisher best known for his old master prints, from whom he learnt the craft. Theodoor married a daughter of the prominent family of Plantin in Antwerp. His marriage established the productive partnership between the Galle workshop and the Plantin Moretus printing house. A talented workman, Galle quickly became a respected engraver, print publisher and a member of the guild of St Luke, a city guild for artists in 1595. In the years to follow he became the guild’s deacon.

Adrian Collaert was born in Antwerp between 1555 and 1565, becoming wijnmeester of the Guild of St Luke in 1580 – a title reserved for the sons of guild members. The guild of St Luke was generally the city guild for artists. Working for Philip Galle, a Dutch publisher best known for his old master prints, he married Galle’s daughter Justa. After learning the principles of engraving in the Netherlands, he spent some years in Italy improving his skill. Upon returning to Flanders he engraved, in accomplished fashion, a great number of plates. His brother, Jan Collaert II, his son, Jan Baptist Collaert II and a grandson were all printmakers.

These particular plates are after paintings by Maerten de Vos, a Flemish painter and draughtsman. His father was Pieter de Vos, from whom he learned. From 1550 – 1558 he travelled in Italy, visiting Rome and Venice and becoming master of the Antwerp Guild of St Luke upon his return in 1558. After 1575 he was mainly engaged in producing print designs.

If you are interested email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056.

Condition: Trimmed to plate margins, generally good condition commensurate with age, slight age toning and handling marks as evident from image.