Engraving, circa 1485. 107x138 mm; 4 1/4x5 1/2 inches. Third state (of 3). Ex-collection Hermann Weber (Lugt 1383, verso); sold Christie's, London, June 1992, lot 27. Trimmed on the plate mark. A very good impression of this extremely scarce engraving, with strong contrasts.
We have found only one other impression at auction in the past 30 years. The north German engraver/goldsmith van Meckenem (circa 1445-1503), likely produced this engraving as a companion with his Children at Play, engraving, circa 1485 (Bartsch 188). In these engravings, van Meckenem was among the first European printmakers to depict such mundane realism, in an art market dominated by religious subjects, while perhaps looking back to classical Roman sources such as marble relief sculptures with frolicking putti. Bartsch 187; Lehrs 478.
