Author: Cornelis Bloemaert II (1603–1692), after Abraham Bloemaert (1564–1651)
Title: [Antique print, engraving] Saint Bonifacius, published ca. 1626, 1 p.
Description: Full standing figure of St Bonifacius (675–c754), the so-called German bishop. He famously converted to Christianity the inhabitants of the city of Fritzlar in 723, after destroying the Tree of Thor. As the pagan divinity did not intervene to stop him, as Bonifacius had said, the population accepted to be baptized.Second plate from the series of twelve engravings, “Twelve Bishops and Prelates of Utrecht” after the painting, “St. Boniface”, 1626, in the Roman Catholic Archbishop's Palace, Utrecht, by Cornelis’ father, Abraham Bloemaert (1564–1651).Lettered above the image: “Venite filij audite me, timorem Domini docebo vos. Psal. 33.”.Signed and with the address of the publisher below: “Abrahamus Bloemaert pinxit Ultrajecti.”; (centre) “Corneli[us] Bloemaert fili[us] sculp: et excud:”; (right) “Cum privilegio Regis Christ.mi.”.Lettered further below: “Ipse est directus .../ S. BONIFACIUS quiet Winfridus Anglus .../ Consecratus Romæ .../ … D.D. Abrahamus Bloemaert.”.Roethlisberger (1993) describes this impression as: “The print is a faithful reproduction, corresponding to the painting, in the same direction. The only bearded figure of the series. Boniface is represented as a bishop with dalmatic, cope (this time without a figurative border), mitre, and cross, with the attribute of a sword pierced by a Bible with which he attempted to fend off his murderer. A well is gushing forth from the bottom of his cross”. M. G. Roethlisberger 1993, “Abraham Bloemaert and His Sons: Paintings and Prints,” vol. 1, Doornspijk, Davaco,  p. 285. Engraving on paper with small margins; total: 478 x 305 mm; in outstanding condition. Hollstein 42, Muller 536, Le Blanc 5, Roethlisberger 432.

Keywords: Bible|Iconography|Onderwerpen|Religion|Theology|Utrecht