Armed Three-Master with Daedalus and Icarus in the sky

Details

Bastelaer 101 I (von II); Hollstein (nach P. Bruegel) 101 I (von II); Klein 12; The New Hollstein 65 I von (III).

Descrizione

Sheet 5 from the set of the warships in an excellent early impression rich in contrasts, before the address of “Theodorus Galle excud.” added in later impressions lower centre, and before the later deletion of the “cum. privileg” lower right. A large carrack crosses the picture space with inflated sails. Flags with the Habsburg double-headed eagle can be seen on the tops of the masts, referring to Spanish foreign rule in the Netherlands. In the top right-hand corner is the spectacle of Daedalus and Icarus, who – flying too close to the sun – causes Icarus to plunge into the depths. A warning memento with regard to overly reckless economic or military endeavours. – Mostly time stained on verso. Altered and the borderlines partially redrawn. Carefully closed paper defects. One vertical, smoothed crease. Rare in this early Impression!