Cornelis de Boudt - Paire d'estampes dévotionnelles

An Antwerp devotional production — “Cor. de Boudt.” Pair of small antique copper-engraved prints hand-colored, stemming from the Antwerp devotional imagery tradition of the late 17th century and early 18th century. The two images measure about 8.5 × 5.5 cm, excluding inscriptions. Each is presented in a frame of about 25.7 × 21.2 cm. The first depicts Saint Peter (“S. Petrus”), kneeling in prayer before a grotto. It bears the inscriptions “Cor. de Boudt.” on the left and “C. Galle.” on the right. The second depicts the Holy Family: the Virgin Mary, the Child Jesus and Saint Joseph, the latter holding a flower evoking a lily. Above Christ appears the dove of the Holy Spirit surrounded by rays. It bears the inscription “Cor. de Boudt.” on the left. Under the scene is the caption: « Quam securus ambulat cui sunt in comitatu » and just below: « Maria, Jesus, Iosepa » The right-hand part of this second print is torn where a second inscription once appeared, now missing. The print is mounted on a support sheet. Cornelis de Boudt, Antwerp engraver and publisher, was a pupil of Martin Bouché in 1672. Admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp in 1687, he developed a significant production of small devotional images. Cornelis Galle, Antwerp engraver and publisher from an important family of engravers, is also associated with this production of religious imagery. His name appears here on the first print, alongside that of Cornelis de Boudt. An interesting feature concerns the second work: it could correspond to a print by Martin Bouché. In our research, we found in Arenberg Auctions’ catalog, lot 633, no. 2, a Holy Family listed as signed by Martin Bouché and bearing exactly the same Latin legend. The subject and legend match constitutes a serious lead for identification, even if the torn right-hand part of our copy no longer allows verification of the inscription that once appeared there. This lead is all the more intriguing because Cornelis de Boudt was Martin Bouché’s pupil in 1672. An Antwerp engraver and publisher, de Boudt was admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke of Antwerp in 1687 and developed a substantial production of small devotional images. The inscription “C. Galle.” preserved on the Saint Peter print also points to the milieu of Antwerp engravers and publishers of that period, in which the Galle family held an important place. A particularly interesting ensemble for connoisseurs of old prints, Flemish religious art, and Antwerp devotional imagery, as well as for collectors and professionals specialized in this field.

Stima:€150

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