Bruegel, Pieter the Elder (After) | The Fall of the Magician Hermogenes

Bruegel, Pieter the Elder (After)

Idem impetravit a deo ut magus a demonibus discerperetur [Hence (the saint) obtained from God that the magician should be torn to pieces by demons]. [Antwerp?]: Hieronymus Cock, 1565

Engraving (sheet: 228 x 294 mm). Engraved by Pieter van der Heyden, titled at bottom, strong impression, 2nd state (of 5?), hand with a flower watermark; stray spot and pinhole at center, minor primarily marginal soiling. Mounted, framed, and glazed with Plexiglas; not examined out of frame.

The Fall of the Magician Hermogenes.

The story of St. James and Hermogenes is part of the The Golden Legend or Lives of the Saints, which was compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, between 1259 and 1266—though the text was added to over the following centuries.

In this striking etching, St. James stands in front of a church, raising his hand in blessing toward the magician Hermogenes, who, along with his chair, has been turned upside down by a legion of demons and monstrous creatures, many of whom are in the midst of playing instruments, or performing acrobatics acts, including tightrope walking and handstands. There is also evidence of decapitations, fire breathing, knife tricks, and all other manner of magic and mischief. 

REFERENCE:

Bastelaer 118; Hollstein 118; Exemplars, p. 19; Lebeer 58

PROVENANCE:

Swann, 7 November 2002, lot 56