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Welcome to Spaightwood Galleries, Inc.
120 Main Street, Upton MA 01568-6193
You can follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spaightwood-Galleries-Inc/122951564441757
I blog there regularly and announce special events and special sales.
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Maarten de Vos was born in Antwerp in 1532 and died there in 1603. His father Pieter de Vos was also a painter and he studied first with him and then with Frans Floris, one of the first to bring Mannerism to Antwerp. In 1551 de Vos left Floris and went to Rome, where he studied the works of Michelangelo and then to Venice where he became first the pupil then the friend and collaborator of Tintoretto. He was highly successful in Italy, executing commissions for the Medici among others. In 1558 he returned to Antwerp where he worked as a painter executing portraits and large commissions for churches. He executed some engravings, but he was far more prolific as a source of drawings that were then engraved and published by others. In this set of fifteen engravings depicting the Celebrated Women of the New Testament, his drawings were engraved by Adrien Collaert (Antwerp, c. 1560-1618) and Karel de Mallery (c, 1576-after 1631), two of Phillip Galle's sons-in-law, and Adrien's brother, Jan II Collaert (Antwerp, 1561/62-1620).
Stylistically these engravings are clearly Mannerist in inspiration. Thematically, they present an interesting set of celebrated women. In almost all cases, they portray women whose willingness to believe in the promises of God sets them apart from almost all the men who appear in these narratives Although they are often presented as either actual or de jure sinners, starting with the Virgin Mary's willingness to become a mother even though she is not married, and including Mary Magdalene and the Woman taken in Adultery (sometimes identified as Mary Magdalene), who become faithful followers of Jesus after they are forgiven, much to the discomfort of the Pharisees and the priests who do not want to associate with such women of ill repute even though Jesus accepts them. In depictions of the Crucifixion, while all of Jesus' male disciples have fled, the women are faithful. In depictions of Easter morning, the women have gone to annoint Jesus in the tomb while they men have either fled Jerusalem in despair or huddle in locked rooms in fear. Where the Celebrated Women of the Old Testament tend to be women whose acts demonstrate a willingness to put service to God above all other concerns including conventional morality, the women in the New Testament series are those who stand out for their faith, sometimes despte their fears.
Select Bibliography: M. M. L. Netto-Bol, So-called Maarten de Vos sketchbook of drawings after the antique (The Hague, Staatsuitgeverij, 1976: Vol. IV of the series "Kunsthistorische Studiën van het Nederlands Instituut te Rome); C. Schuckman, Maarten de Vos, 1532-1603 (Rotterdam: Sound & Vision, 1995/96. 3 vols. Together 850 pp., ca.1600 ills. Vols XLIV - XLVI in the Hollstein's Dutch and Flemish series); A. Zweite, Studien zu Marten Vos. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der antwerpener Malerei in der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts (Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität, 1974); A. Zweite, Marten de Vos als Maler. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Antwerpener Malerei in der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts (Berlin 1980). The most current information about the contribution of the Collaert brothers to these two sets of engravings is to be found in Marjolein Leesberg and Arnout Balis, ed. The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings, and Woodcuts 1450-1700: The Collaert Dynasty, 4 volumes (Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Publishers, 2005). THe Old Testament Women can be found in Part One; the New Testament in Part 2.
The first state of the Celebrated Women of the New Testament was published in Antwerp by Phillips Galle. The second state shows the publisher as Galle's son Jan (Ioan). The third state adds a reference to the biblical source in the Gospels.
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Jan II Collaert (Antwerp, 1561/62-1620), Maria Virgo, mater Dei / The Virgin Mary, Mother of God (New Holl. 424 iii/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. The title page to Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. In the background left, the Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin that she is about to become pregnant. She accepts this, though it makes her liable to death by stoning under the law since she is not married. On the reverse is Pieter van der Borcht's Zacharias struck dumb (slightly visible at top). Image size: 154x88mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Adrien Collaert (Antwerp, c. 1560-1618), S. Anna / St. Anna, mother of the Virgin (New Holl. 425 i/iii, published by Philips Galle). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. The title page to Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. In the background, St. Anne embraces her husband, Zacharias, by the Golden Gate. Image size: 154x88mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Jan II Collaert (Antwerp, 1561/62-1620), Elizabeth Zachariae / Elizabeth, wife of Zacharias (New Holl. 426 iii/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 4 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. Luke 1: 5-20: "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias . . . and his wife was . . . Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God . . . his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, 'Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.' And Zacharias said unto the angel, 'Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.' And the angel answering said unto him, 'I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.'" Image size: 154x88mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Anna Prophetissa. Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597 (see H. Collaert, Hol. 32-46, with the biblical citation). Plate 4 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. Luke 2: 36-38: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Image size: 154x88mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information. On the verso: Jan Wierix, The Circumcision.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Mulier Adultera / The Adulterous Woman (New Holl. 427 iii/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 6 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. John 8:3-11: "the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, 'Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?' This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.' And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man, Lord.' And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'" This woman is often identified with Mary Magdalen. Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Adrien Collaert (Antwerp, c. 1560-1618), Mvlier Cananaea / The Woman from Caanan (New Holl. 427 iii/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 8 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. The story is told in Mark 7: 25-30: "For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, 'Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.' And she answered and said unto him, 'Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.' And he said unto her, 'For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.' And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed." Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Jan II Collaert (Antwerp, 1561/62-1620), Mvlier Inclinata / The hunchback woman (New Holl. 428 iii/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 9 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. The story is told in Luke 13: 11-17: "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, 'Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.' And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, 'There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.' But the Lord answered him and said, 'You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?' When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing." There is another image on the verso by an anonymous artist also showing Jesus healing the woman. Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Martha (Holl. 33-46i/iii, before the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 9 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Philips Galle. The story is based on (Luke 38-42): "Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Martha (Holl. 33-46iii/iii, before the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 9 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Philips Galle. The story is based on (Luke 38-42): "Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
There is another image on the verso by an anonymous artist showing the infertile fig tree.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Maria Magdalena (H. Collaert, Hol. 33-46ii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1581. Plate 11 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. Luke 7:37ff: "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, 'This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said unto him, 'Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.' And he saith, 'Master, say on.' 'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?' Simon answered and said, 'I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.' And he said unto him, 'Thou hast rightly judged.'And he turned to the woman, and said unto 'Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.' And he said unto her, 'Thy sins are forgiven.' And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, 'Who is this that forgiveth sins also?' And he said to the woman, 'Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.' " Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Maria Jacobi (H. Collaert, Hol. 33-46ii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1597. Plate 12 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Jan Galle. Marc 16ff: "When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb? When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.' So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Carel de Mallery (Antwerp, 1566-1628), Maria Salome (H. Collaert, Hol. 33-46i/iii, with the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1581. Plate 13 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Philips Galle. Mark 16:2-14: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. . . . And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, 'Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.' And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. " Image size: 154x94mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Jan II Collaert (Antwerp, 1561/62-1620), Tabitha (New Holl. 430 i/iii, before the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1581. Plate 14 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Philips Galle. Acts 9: 36-42: "Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, 'Please come to us without delay.' So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, 'Tabitha, get up.' Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord." Small paper loss at lower left corner. Image size: 154x91mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Adrien Collaert (Antwerp, c. 1560-1618), Lydia Pvrpvraria / Lydia, seller of purple cloth (New Holl. 431 i/iii, before the Biblical citation). Engraving after Maarten de Vos, c. 1581. Plate 15 from a set of Icones Illustrum Feminarium Novi Testamenti / Images of Celebrated Women of the New Testament" consisting of 15 engravings (plus frontispiece) by Jan II or Adrien Collaert or Carel de Mallery published in Antwerp by Philips Galle. Acts 16: 11-15: "We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.' And she prevailed upon us." Image size: 154x91mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.
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Spaightwood Galleries, Inc.
To purchase, call us at 1-800-809-3343 (1-508-529-2511 in Upton MA & vicinity) or send an email to spaightwood@gmail.com.
We accept AmericanExpress, DiscoverCard, MasterCard, and Visa.
We also accept wire transfers and paypal.
For directions and visiting information, please call. We are, of course, always available over the web and by telephone (see above for contact information). Click the following for links to past shows and artists. For a visual tour of the gallery, please click here. For information about Andy Weiner and Sonja Hansard-Weiner, please click here. For a list of special offers currently available, see Specials.
All works are sold with an unconditional guarantee of authenticity (as described in our website listing).
Go back to the top of this page.
Visiting hours: Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday noon to 6:00 pm and other times by arrangement.
Please call to confirm your visit. Browsers and guests are welcome.
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