Author: Jan van de Velde II (c. 1593-1641) after Willem Pietersz. Buytewech (1591/92-1624)
Title: [Antique print, etching] AER [Air; set of the Four Elements] (Lucht, serie van de vier elementen), published 18th century.
Description: Landscape with figures on falcon hunt representing the element of air. At a countryside crossroad peasants are conversing, a group of falcons around them. Second plate of a series of four with landscapes as illustrations of the four elements.Titled at bottom: 'AER', inscribed in four lines of Latin text: Aer jam seguitur animæ vitalis origo: / Quo sine nil vivit quicquid in orbe datur. // Mobilis aßiduo fæcundat semine terram, / Hic regnantq? Noti, Pennigeriq? greges. WB 2', WB monogrammed. Signed within plate: 'J.V. Velde fecit.'On verso collector's mark L.2871 belonging to the painter and printmaker Christian Gottfried Mathes (1738-1805). The print is described in the catalogue of the of his art collection in Berlin, 20 January 1862, lot 1902.Printed on 18th century paper, this etching still preserves its original freshness. Etching on paper, trimmed to plate; total: 191 x 291 mm; state III/3; top corners damaged, otherwise very beautiful impression; Hollstein 19, Franken 135, H.B. CP 34, cat. Buytenwech 178.

Keywords: Allegories|Animals|City views|Genre|Hunting|Landscapes|Rare Allegories, Animals, City views, Genre, Hunting, Landscapes, Rare,