Cor Iesu Amanti Sacrum

Method Copper engraving
Artist Carel van Mallery after Antonius Wierix
Published c. 1627-35
Dimensions Each image 89 x 54 mm, each plate 90 x 56 mm, each sheet 92 x 61 mm.
Notes Complete set of 18 emblems from Cor Iesu Amanti Sacrum.

Towards the end of the sixteenth century or the beginning of the seventeenth century, Antonius II Wierix (1555/9-1604) produced the first series on the 'Devout Heart'. From the 1620s through to the nineteenth century, various artists reproduced Wierix's series; whether that be directly copying the designs or drawing upon Wierix's format.

The first, and perhaps most famous, reproduction of Wierix's emblems was Luzvic's Le Coeur Devot, published in Paris in 1627.

This particular set, produced by Flemish engraver and designer Charles de Mallery (1571-1635), must therefore be dated after 1627, and with Mallery dying around 1635, it can be suggested that this set of emblems falls somewhere between the two dates.

Cor Iesu images were printed in two forms; as part of a book, or as loose sheets to be used as devotional imagery. It is unclear what form de Mallery's took.

Carel van Mallery's emblems were reprinted, with some slight alterations, in Levendige herts-theologie (1686), a spiritual emblem book written by the controversial German Protestant theologian and mystical spiritualist, Christian Hohburg (1607-1675), and published by Johannes Boekholt (1656-1693).

Antonius Wierix (1555/9-1604), was a Flemish printmaker and publisher, and member of the Antwerp Wierix family who made engravings after well known artists, including Albrecht Durer. His brothers Jan and Hieronymous were also engravers.

Hand-numbered in margins.

Text below images in Latin

New Hollstein (Wierix) 445-462

Condition: Laid to album pages in four sets of four and one set of two. Each image trimmed close to platemark.
Framing unmounted
Price £800.00
Stock ID 34725

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