The Nativity by Hieronymous Wierix, 1566

This engraving is titled "The Nativity" and is by Jerome Hieronymous Wierix (1553-1619). He was a member of the Wierix family of artists of Antwerp and Brussels. He was quite precocious as an apprentice and was apt to add his name and age to a prints he was engraving as in the case of this example, done when he was only thirteen years old. (Actually, it is unclear exactly how old he was at this time. References give his birth date as 1533 which would have made him 13, but it is signed in the plate as him being 16 years old.)This is a copy of a 1504 Durer engraving and is quite well executed. Hieronymous and his brothers lived quite disorderly lives and were arrested on numerous occasions on public drunkeness charges. Hieronymous also spent time in jail for killing a bar maid. There is a faint stain in the upper right corner. This measures 7" x 4 1/4" and is in an older frame and matte.

Brian Cullity Antiques

I am a second generation antiques dealer born and raised on Cape Cod. My experience with buying and selling antiques started with the opening of my parents' antiques shop in 1958. In addition to working in the shop, I bought and sold coins and autographs and gradually started…

 

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