(Antwerp 1610–1690 Brussels)
“Theatrum Pictorium” (1656–1660), a set of 46 engravings from the series comprising 246 sheets, 1st edition 1660, ed. by Hendrick Aertssens, based on small models by David Teniers II after paintings of Italian masters in the collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, including prints after paintings by Titian, D. Fetti, J. Bassano, Giorgione, Raphael, Michelangelo, engraved by Coryn Boel, Pieter van Lisebetten, Theodor van Kessel, Lucas Vorsterman, and others, various formats, dimensions of each sheet 42 x 28 cm, printed on 44 sheets, unmounted, unframed, (44), (Sch)

Excellent, vigorous prints with rich contrasts. Each with broad margins along platemarks. In an excellent condition.

The „Theatrum Pictorium“ or “Theater of painting” is a book comprising a series of 256 engravings after Italian paintings in the collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. The series was engraved by several different artists from models which Teniers had prepared. Leopold Wilhelm was viceroy of Philipp IV of Spain and governor of the Spanish Netherlands between 1646 and 1656. He appointed David Teniers II court painter in Brussels and commissioned him to publish part of his rich collection in an illustrated catalogue. As the editor of this book Teniers produced small copies in oil of each of the chosen paintings, issuing these as models to his engravers. The artists having been engaged in this project included a. o. Jan van Troyen, Lucas Vorsterman, Pieter van Lisebetten, Coryn Boel and Theodor van Kessel. Even though a dedication sheet in the book is dated 1658, the plates were presumably executed between 1656 and 1660. The first edition of the book and the prints of the present series were executed from unnumbered plates and published by Hendrick Aertssens in 1660. A second edition with numbered plates appeared in Antwerp in 1684 and was published by Jacob Peters. Two further editions by Hieronymus und Jan Baptist Verdussen followed at an unknown date and a French edition was published in Amsterdam and Leipzig in 1755.

Literature:
Compare: E. Vegelin van Claerbergen, ‘David Teniers and the Theatre of Painting’, exh. cat. Courtauld Institute, London, 2006.