[Antique prints, ca. 1722/62] Three vignettes, thesis and orations decorations, published ca. 1722-1762, 3 pp.

Noach van der Meer II (1741-1822) and others

About this Item

Three vignettes showing allegories of learning with Minerva as protagonist. These were cut out from publications of orations and mounted on a cardboard which bears two collector's marks. The picture shows a disciple receiving a prize book stamped with the Ypsilon from a Minerva seated on her throne, turned to the right. On the left, a view of the gate of the Latin school in Delft dating from 1616 with the inscription 'Gymnasium publicum iuventuti pietate linguis et artibus imbuendae dicatum', translated by Dirck van Bleyswijck in his Beschryvinge der Stadt Delft on page 589 with 'Public exercise place for the youths, in devotion, free arts, and languages'. The keystone also depicts the Ypsilon. To the right, a figure dressed in a Roman toga is reading in an eighteenth-century library, leaning against a lectern. At the top, in a banderole, is the inscription 'Remunerante Minerva' ('Minerva gives a reward'). This vignette appears about 40 times in orations printed by R. Boitet in the period 1722-1743. A new copper plate was made around 1740 of this type, which is almost identical, but shows differences in details.This impression is cut within margins so it is not possible to understand which edition it comes from. Minerva seated on a cloud, crowning with a laurel wreath a standing man on the right, another standing allegorical figure on the right is also crowning the man. Two pictures, one on either side of the representation with Leiden landmarks. Unsigned, used as illustration in the title page of: 'Disputatio medicophysica inauguralis de olfactu . / Eruditorum examini submittit, Joannes Oosterling.' from 1731. A standing Minerva hands out a book stamped with the Ypsilon with her right hand to a Latin student. On the left the entrance gate to the Latin school and on the right the double temple of Honor and Virtus. On the banderole the inscription 'Pretium non vile laborum' ('A no small price for hard work'), title engraving made by N. van der Meer, which was used four times for the inaugural lectures printed by C. van Graauwenhaan in the period summer promotion 1756 up to and including summer promotion 1762.On verso of the mount, sticker of collector Jan Gerard de Lint (1867-1936). Etching and engraving on paper; total: 486 x 300 mm; dirt, smudges and some minor tears along the most external margins, otherwise in very good condition. Seller Inventory # PR120947

Bibliographic Details

Title: [Antique prints, ca. 1722/62] Three ...