Lepanto—Balthasar Jenichen | Warhaftige conterfettung der grossen galleen so von neuen zu Venedig.... 1571

Property of a Gentleman

Lepanto—Balthasar Jenichen

Warhaftige conterfettung der grossen galleen, so von neuen zu Venedig armiert u und ausgerust worde ist - vor nie ausgangen. B.I. 1571.

engraving (205 x 260mm.), trimmed to image, laid down, mounted, framed and glazed, slight loss of engraved area in lower portion of image

A VERY RARE PRINT showing the execution of the Turkish naval commander Ali Pasha following his defeat at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. This print was published probably shortly after the allied Holy League naval victory over the Ottoman Turks. Ali Pasha is shown on a warship about to be executed with a sword, and at the same time his head is shown on a spear at the front of the vessel. In the top left corner of the engraving is a birds-eye view of Venice and Murano and in the top right is a cartouche with the title, date and initials of the engraver Balthasar Jenichen.

Balthasar Jenichen (active 1560 - circa 1621) worked in Nuremberg between 1563 and 1592, and produced a number of prints relating to the Battle of Lepanto.

There is an example of this print in the British Museum. The Royal Danish library has what appears to be a variant (or earlier?) version of this print without the execution scene: http://www5.kb.dk/maps/kortsa/2012/jul/kortatlas/object62934/da/

LITERATURE:

Andresen II, p. 189, nr. 273; Hollstein 141.I; British Museum 1913,0228.1; cf. Royal Danish Library KBK 4-12

PROVENANCE:

P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., New Bond Street, London W.1., engraved label on the back of the frame, with manuscript note added to the label in ink "The Venetian Galley (1571). Original engraving by Balthazar Jenichen

(showing the execution of Pasha Ali). Of the greatest rarity."