24. Johann Ladenspelder
(1512-after 1561)
The Four Evangelists (complete set)

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Ladenspelder: The Four Evangelists

The Four Evangelists (complete set)

Engraving, 1549, 127 x 91 mm., Bartsch IX 5-8, Hollstein 20-23. Provenance: Friedrich August II of Saxony (Lugt 971). The set of four engravings, exceedingly rare. Very fine impressions, comparable to, or better than, the Berlin impressions reproduced in The Illustrated Bartsch, Vol. 18, on laid paper trimmed on or along the platemark; a few pale stains. The evangelists are shown, with their attributes, seated, three of them writing their gospels, Luke painting his portrait of the Virgin. All the works are signed with the artist's monogram and that of St. John is dated 1549. Ladenspelder, frequently known as Johann Ladenspelder von Essen though he worked in Cologne, is among the most interesting and original of the less-known German engravers in the first half of the century.