The Sacrifice of Iphigenia

Black and white etching and drypoint on wire rod paper, representing the myth of the sacrifice of Iphigenia.  On the altar is inscribed "Iphigenia" in capital letters. On the lower left margin is inscribed "N. Beatrizet Lo Taringus F.", s lightly discolored (Beatrizet   usually signed his plates with the letters "N. B. L. F.") .  At the center of the lower margin is inscribed " Romae, Michaelis Tramezini formis cum privilegio summi Pont. M.D.L.III".

After a drawing attributed to either Michelangelo Buonarroti, Salviati, or Baccio Bandinelli. First State on two, following Bartsch, first state on three following Dumesnil, after the "excudit" by Tramezini and before De Rossi's, dated "1681". This sheet is extremely rare and precious.

Beautiful etching with fresh impression and wide margins, in very good conditions except for slightly faded paper on the lower left margin and some small folds (a usual horizontal one, and two little folds on the right margin). Printed on laid paper watermarked with a single circle with a little star on top of it (Briquet, 495; Woodward, 159/160). 

Nicolas Béatrizet , or Beatrizet , or Beatricetto (1507/17 - 1565) Born in Luneville between 1507 and 1517, Nicolas Beatrizet was a 16th-century French engraver, active in Rome. It was assumed that he was a student of Ghisi and of Agostino Veneziano de Musis , because of their similar styles. From 1540 to 1560, he engraved under the direction of Michelangelo.  Joseph Strutt said about the importance of Béatrizet's works: " to me they seem to seek any requisite that a fine engraving ought to possess, namely drawing, character, effect, and mechanical execution".

Reference:  Dumesnil IX, 37. Tib 29/15, 43.