ABRAHAM HECKE
(or van
de HECKEN, or HECKIUS)
A Dutch Mannerist engraver active in the early years of the 17th Century
The
Four Elements
Hollstein (Heckius) 2-5
102 x 136 mm
The set of four, engraved ovals on rectangular
plates, c1600.
The plates numbered.
Published
in Cologne by Gerhard Altzenbach (an engraver,
printer, publisher and printseller active
1609 – 1672).
Ignis,
plate 1, with Alztenbach’s name.
Presumably a later issue, c1630?
Good,
clear impressions, with small margins, except
for the left edge of Aqua which is trimmed
just inside the platemark, but outside of
the oval borderline. A slight stain on Terra.
The bottom right corner of the margin of
Terra replaced. Other minor defects. A
rare set.
£3500
In
the order that the plates are numbered -
Ignis (Fire) shows the flames of Hell, or the classical
Tarturus, where the wicked were tormented.
Orpheus plays the lyre to Pluto, ‘king’ of
the Underworld in his effort to release Eurydice.
In
Aer (Air) Juno, to whom the air was sacred,
presides, with her attribute the peacock beside
her, and Jupiter, holding his lightning bolt
and with his eagle, at her feet, over a gathering
of the gods in the clouds high above the earth.
The sun god dries his quadrega, and winged
putti fly around.
For
Aqua (Water) Neptune sits astride his chariot
pulled by seahorses, while tritons and nereids
cavort in a sea-bound grotto, oysters and
a lobster strewn at their feet. Beyond a
great crowd hold an array of fish, and a
turtle, on fishing rods.
The
landscape of Terra (Earth)
has the drunken Silenus sprawling on the
back of his ass assisted by satyrs. Music
is being played among the vines and cherubs
carry baskets of fruit.
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