Perrier Antique Etching 1638 Hermaphroditus

Hermaphroditus
8 by 10 ½ inches
PRR80 $45

François Perrier (1590-1650) divided his time between Rome and Paris. It was in Rome that he engraved what was the first illustrated volume depicting classical sculpture Selections of the most celebrated ancient artifacts and statues. The copperplate engravings showing a magnificent selection of ancient gods & goddesses and provide a record of many major Roman statues of the 17th century.

The frontispiece, shows Time as a naked, winged old man holding a scythe, biting the Torso Belvedere set on a pedestal beside a coat of arms crowned by cherubs; on the ground, fragments of statue and pilaster, and snake biting its own tail.

This work is held by many major museums including the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the British Museum in London, the Museums of Paris & many more. We are pleased to offer a good selection from this historical work. Each engraving measures approximately 8 by 10 ½ inches on lightly toned paper, with some variation in toning between prints. On some, there is a little marginal foxing as shown, but overall the condition is remarkable for prints that are over 380 years old.