Caluppanus

Caluppanus  is a beautiful black and white burin on copper on ivory-colored paper, realized at the end of the XVI century by the Flemish artist Joan or Johannes Sadeler (Brussels, 1550 - Venice, 1600).

Signed on plate " I. Sadeler. " on the lower right corner. "M. de Vos" appears at the center of the lower margin.  Numbered '14' on plate at the center of the lower margin as well. With a long inscription on plate on the lower margin: " Haud procul Arverno latebras ingressus hiates Monstra Caluppanus perniciosa fugat. Exorat lapides, et abit rigor omnis in undas, Aegris prebet opem, sed prece, non pretio ".

In excellent conditions, except for a minor stain on the higher left corner and a usual yellowing of the paper due to its age. A beautiful wooden frame is included (25.4 x 1 x 29.3 cm).

This old master's original print, with a lifetime impression and all the mastery of this artistic technique, is fr om the series Solitudo sive vitae patrum eremicolarum , published by Sadeler from drawings by Martin de Vos .

A wonderful etching describing the life of the saint Caluppanus (527-576). He spent his early years in the monastery of India. After a protest of the monks, he withdrew to a neighboring cave, where he built himself an oratory. Here, he dedicated himself entirely to study and pray. Apparently, he managed to vanquish evil spirits by using the sign of the cross and the Lord's Prayer. This scene is perfectly etched by Sadeler, in a meticulous Flemish style.