17th Century Hunting Scene Engraving after Paulus Potter, Engraved by Marcus de Bye
17th Century Hunting Scene Engraving after Paulus Potter, Engraved by Marcus de Bye
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Additional Description:
A finely executed 17th-century copperplate engraving depicting a dramatic hunting scene, after the celebrated Dutch animal painter Paulus Potter. The composition captures a powerful bull under attack by a pack of hounds, rendered with exceptional anatomical precision and dynamic movement—hallmarks of Potter’s influential naturalistic style.
The engraving bears an inscription within a ribbon cartouche reading “P. Potter inv. / M. de Bye fecit,” indicating the design originates from Potter, while the plate was engraved by Marcus de Bye, a known Dutch printmaker active in the mid-17th century. Along the lower margin appears “N. Visscher excudit,” referencing the prominent Amsterdam publisher Nicolaes Visscher, further confirming its period production and distribution.
The work is executed in fine line engraving with rich cross-hatching and tonal depth, typical of Dutch Golden Age printmaking. The scene is set within a pastoral landscape, with distant figures and terrain providing narrative context and depth. The print is presented in a later gilt frame.
An additional handwritten note verso (dated 1934, Stockholm) suggests early 20th-century European provenance and appreciation of the piece, adding a layer of historical ownership.
Era:
17th century (circa 1650–1680)
History:
Paulus Potter was one of the most important animal painters of the Dutch Golden Age, renowned for his lifelike depictions of livestock and rural scenes. His works were widely reproduced in print form, allowing broader dissemination of his compositions.
Marcus de Bye specialized in animal subjects and is particularly known for translating Potter’s works into engravings. His prints are valued for their fidelity to the original compositions and their technical refinement.
Nicolaes Visscher was a leading Amsterdam print publisher whose workshop produced and distributed high-quality engravings throughout Europe during the 17th century.
Together, these names place the work firmly within the Dutch Golden Age printmaking tradition—an era defined by technical mastery and strong market demand for reproductive prints.
Provenance:
Likely Netherlands (Amsterdam publication); later European collection with inscription dated Stockholm, 1934
Materials:
Ink on laid paper (copperplate engraving), later giltwood frame
Dimensions:
[Leave blank]
Disclaimers:
Age-related toning, foxing, and paper discoloration consistent with 17th-century prints. Minor creasing and surface wear visible. Not examined out of frame; margins and plate mark visibility may be partially obscured. Frame is later and shows light wear.
Additional Description:
A finely executed 17th-century copperplate engraving depicting a dramatic hunting scene, after the celebrated Dutch animal painter Paulus Potter. The composition captures a powerful bull under attack by a pack of hounds, rendered with exceptional anatomical precision and dynamic movement—hallmarks of Potter’s influential naturalistic style.
The engraving bears an inscription within a ribbon cartouche reading “P. Potter inv. / M. de Bye fecit,” indicating the design originates from Potter, while the plate was engraved by Marcus de Bye, a known Dutch printmaker active in the mid-17th century. Along the lower margin appears “N. Visscher excudit,” referencing the prominent Amsterdam publisher Nicolaes Visscher, further confirming its period production and distribution.
The work is executed in fine line engraving with rich cross-hatching and tonal depth, typical of Dutch Golden Age printmaking. The scene is set within a pastoral landscape, with distant figures and terrain providing narrative context and depth. The print is presented in a later gilt frame.
An additional handwritten note verso (dated 1934, Stockholm) suggests early 20th-century European provenance and appreciation of the piece, adding a layer of historical ownership.
Era:
17th century (circa 1650–1680)
History:
Paulus Potter was one of the most important animal painters of the Dutch Golden Age, renowned for his lifelike depictions of livestock and rural scenes. His works were widely reproduced in print form, allowing broader dissemination of his compositions.
Marcus de Bye specialized in animal subjects and is particularly known for translating Potter’s works into engravings. His prints are valued for their fidelity to the original compositions and their technical refinement.
Nicolaes Visscher was a leading Amsterdam print publisher whose workshop produced and distributed high-quality engravings throughout Europe during the 17th century.
Together, these names place the work firmly within the Dutch Golden Age printmaking tradition—an era defined by technical mastery and strong market demand for reproductive prints.
Provenance:
Likely Netherlands (Amsterdam publication); later European collection with inscription dated Stockholm, 1934
Materials:
Ink on laid paper (copperplate engraving), later giltwood frame
Dimensions:
[Leave blank]
Disclaimers:
Age-related toning, foxing, and paper discoloration consistent with 17th-century prints. Minor creasing and surface wear visible. Not examined out of frame; margins and plate mark visibility may be partially obscured. Frame is later and shows light wear.