Pieter van der Borcht – Laetissima Orbi Legatio 1581
etching, trimmed close to image, 18.6 x 24.5 cm
Unframed – Price £150
from H.J. Barrefelt’s Imagines et Figurae Bibliorum
References: New Hollstein Dutch 305-2a(3)
Inscriptions: ‘LAETISSIMA ORBI LEGATIO MATTEI 10.1′ along top right half of image. ’79’ in bottom right corner. ‘PE.V.BORCHT’ bottom left corner
Condition: Nice impression in good condition. Very slight stain at centre bottom edge. Sheet trimmed to image, to outside of ornamental frame.
Pieter van der Borcht was born in Mechelen in around1530. He is recorded in 1564 as supplying scientific drawings for Christopher Plantin, owner of Antwerp’s great publishing business. He fled to Antwerp following the town’s sacking by the Duke of Alva in the Spanish wars in 1572, staying with Plantin and becoming his chief assistant, a post he retained until his death in 1608. He was an early etcher in terms of the Flemish School, his first attributed print done in1552. His etchings are highly regarded for their delicate touch, but he is not so well known as some of his peers.