Fustibus, aut telis, densa aut caligine fumi / Venatur gaudens habitare caniculis antris

Rabbit Hunt: in the foreground, to left, two men prepare a large torch to smoke the rabbits out of the warrens; in the centre, a hunter prepares to strike with a club, to the right, two women, an old man and a child stand in conversation and observe; beyond, on a slope, the rabbits are chased by dogs and targeted with arrows, while nets lie ready to catch the rabbits; on the horizon, more smoke is seen.

Lettered below the image: 'Ioes Strada. inven. / Phls Galle excu.' 'Fustibus, aut telis, densa aut caligine fumi, / Venatur gaudens habitare cuniculus antris.' 

Engraving, circa 1578. Example of the rare first state, before the number.

From the "Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium", after Jan van der Straet called Stradano or Stradanus, published by Philip Galle.

Once back in Antwerp, after a long trip to Italy, Stradano met Philip Galle, former pupil of Hieronumus Cock, who had recentely devouted himself to the art of printing. They planned together the realization of hunting subjects, inspired by the tapestry of the Villa in Poggio a Caiano. At the beginning, Galle realized a series of engravings without numbers, to which a second edition followed, with title page and 44 numbered plates. The sudden fame of his work convinced the printer to go on with his cooperation with Stradano, who realized new drawings with uncommon and exotic hunting subjects.

The new series was published first separately, then together with the first edition, forming a wide series of 104 plates, named Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium, Pugnae. This work can be dated between 1578 (on the front page) and 1596. As for the tapestry of the Villa in Poggio a Caiano, the work is divided in three wide categories: terrestrial, air and water animals. At the beginning the hunting scenes have been engraved by Philip Galle himself, who then hired other members of his family and other assistants, among which Adriaen and Jan Collaert, Theodor and Cornelis Galle and Carolus de Mallery.

Magnificent work, printed on contemporary laid paper, trimmed to the platemark, in good condition. Laid down, on the four corners, on antique mounting.

Bibliografia

New Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) / The New Hollstein: Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts 1450-1700 (439.I); Baroni Vannucci 1997 / Jan van der Straet, detto Giovanni Stradano, flandrus pictor et inventor (693.55).