THE FIRST STATE HENDRICK GOLTZIUS The Venetian Ball.
Engraving on 2 joined sheets of cream laid paper, 1584. 392x729 mm; 15 1/2x28 3/4 inches, small margins. First state (of 4). Crown watermark (Strauss 182). A superb, evenly-printed impression of this large, important print.
We have found only 4 other impressions at auction in the past 20 years.
The engraving commemorates the visit of King Henry III of France to Venice in 1574. According to contemporary accounts, the Venetian Senate issued a decree to the city's nobility to wear superb vestments and adorn themselves in their finest jewelry. The renowned commedia del'arte group called "I Gelosi" was commissioned to perform for the king, who had witnessed a performance by the group as crown prince in Paris at the court of his brother Charles IX. Some members of the group appear in the doorway at the far right of the engraving. Also, one of Venice's finest courtesans was appointed as the king's companion, she is seen with him in the center of the image. Bartsch 247; Hollstein 292.
