Lot 52
**First Time At Auction**
Hans Sebald Beham (German, 1500-1550), ca. 1539. A wonderful pair of Renaissance engravings by the German artist Hans Sebald Beham who is best known for his incredibly small scale engravings. One engraving depicts a dancing couple, the female in the front and facing toward her left with her face visible and topped by a lovely braided coiffure, the male behind her with his head turned away from the viewer, wearing a plumed hat, his right hand clasping the woman's left hand, and his left hand raised as they dance. The other engraving features two male musicians playing wind instruments outdoors with foliage on the ground near their feet. Both engravings are initialed "JSB" at the upper right. Beham is among the most important "Little Masters" - a group of German printmakers in the generation following Durer. Size: each measures 1.875" L x 1.375" W (4.8 cm x 3.5 cm)
The J. Paul Getty Museum provides the following fascinating biography of Hans Sebald Beham: "Born to a family of artists, Hans Sebald Beham created an enormous body of work, including nearly 2,000 prints. His tiny engravings of widely varied subjects put him among the German printmakers whom scholars call the Little Masters. Known for both his intricate craft and his interest in depicting peasant life, Beham was equally comfortable in larger woodcut formats. He also designed playing cards, wallpaper, coats of arms, and patterns for other artists. Beham illuminated a prayerbook for Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, archbishop of Mainz, and also created his only surviving painting for the cardinal.
In 1525 three 'godless painters'--Hans Sebald, his brother Barthel Beham, and Georg Pencz--were banished from Nuremberg for asserting that they did not believe in baptism, Christ, or transubstantiation. They were able to return within months, but Beham was exiled again in 1528 for publishing a book believed to plagiarize an Albrecht Dürer manuscript. From about 1532 he worked in Frankfurt."
Provenance: ex-estate of William Stockton, Colorado, USA; acquired in mid 20th century
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#150822
- Condition: Both engravings are set in illustration board mats, attached via acid free tape on the backs. The engraving of the dancing couple has a bit of pink ink over the upper section. There is also some pink ink on the mats as shown.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |