| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Robert Boissard |
| Published | [Guilielmi Fitzeri, Frankfurt, 1628] |
| Dimensions | Image 140 x 105 mm |
| Notes |
A half-length portrait of Paul Fagius, turned to the left, wearing a cap and cloak. From "Bibliotheca sive thesaurus", produced by Jean Jacques Boissard in collaboration with Robert Boissard and Theodor de Bry, published in Frankfurt by Guilielmi Fitzeri in 1628. Paul Fagius (c. 1504-1549) was a Reformist and scholar in Hebrew. He met the Jewish publisher Elia Levita in 1537 and started a printing business with him. He fled to England with Martin Bucer during the Counter-Reformation, and was appointed to teach Hebrew at Cambridge University in 1549. He died that same year however from plague. His body was exhumed and he was burned a heretic in 1556, but he was cleared in 1560, when a memorial was set up for Fagius. Inscription to arch above figure: "PAULUS FAGIUS THEOLOGUS" Inscription to pallet before figure: "Nasc. Tabernis Rhenanis in Palatin ... Crematur ibid. A 1556 Restituitur ibid. A 1560", giving dates of his birth, death, burning and restitution. Inscription to bottom margin: "Tu vero sequere & fratrem ne desere frater, par cum bucero gloria parta tibi" Artist's monogram at top right: "BR" Robert Boissard (c. 1570-1611) was a French engraver, active in Elzas-Lotharingen. Little is known about Boissard, other than that he was related to Jean Jacques Boissard (c. 1528-1602), with whom he worked on several series. Robert specialised in detailed portraits, but also produced allegorical prints and the playful "Masquerade" series, depicting costumed couples. Condition: Excellent impression. Trimmed within plate mark. Slight overall time toning. Latin letterpress on verso. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £90.00 |
| Stock ID | 46044 |