Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Early Frisian and Hungarian Horse Engraving by Jonstonus & Merian, 1650
$775 (£590, €695)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1650
- Size
- 13.4 × 8.3 in (34 × 21 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered spotting and surface marks. Noticeable old staining and discoloration to the lower left corner and margin. Minor handling creases and wear along the sheet edges. Rare.
- Period
- Before 1700
- Artist or book
- Maria Sibylla Merian
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_51670392
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Jonstonus Friesian and Hungarian Horses Engraving, 1650
Description:
Original antique copper engraving depicting two European horse breeds: the Friesian horse (“Equus Frisicus, Frisisch Pferd”) and the Pannonian or Hungarian horse (“Equus Pannonicus sive Hungaric, Hungarisches Pferd”).
The upper composition shows the powerful Friesian horse standing in profile, distinguished by its heavy build, long flowing mane and feathered legs. Below, the Hungarian horse is represented in a dramatic rearing pose, creating a particularly lively and decorative equestrian composition.
The engraving was published in Joannes Jonstonus’ important Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus, Frankfurt am Main, 1650. The work was issued by the heirs of Matthäus Merian and forms part of Jonstonus’ celebrated multi-volume natural history of animals.
Joannes Jonstonus (1603–1675), also known as John Johnston or Jan Jonston, was a Polish-born physician, naturalist and scholar. His extensive natural-history publications were among the important illustrated zoological works of the 17th century, preceding the systematic classification of Linnaeus by more than a century.
From the first edition of Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus, published in Frankfurt by the Merian publishing house in 1650.
Plate II, titled within the engraving:
“Equus Frisicus, Frisisch Pferd”
“Equus Pannonicus sive Hungaric, Hungarisches Pferd”
A beautiful early representation of the Friesian horse and an appealing decorative work for an equestrian, country-house or natural-history collection.
Joannes Jonstonus (1603–1675)
Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus
Frankfurt am Main
Published by the heirs of Matthäus Merian
1650
Original copper engraving
Plate II
This is an original antique print published in 1650, not a modern reproduction.
Condition:
Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered spotting and surface marks. Noticeable old staining and discoloration to the lower left corner and margin. Minor handling creases and wear along the sheet edges. The engraved image remains strong and well defined. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
Period
Mid-17th Century
Style
Baroque
Natural History
Equestrian
Subject
Friesian Horse
Hungarian Horse
Equestrian
Horses
Natural History
Zoology
Frisian
Keywords:
Joannes Jonstonus, John Johnston, Jan Jonston, Matthäus Merian, Merian, Friesian horse, Frisian horse, Friesisch Pferd, Equus Frisicus, Hungarian horse, Pannonian horse, Equus Pannonicus, horse engraving, antique horse print, equestrian engraving, equestrian art, horse wall art, 17th century engraving, 17th century print, 1650 engraving, Baroque print, natural history print, zoological engraving, antique animal print, European horses, horse breeds, equestrian decor, country house decor, farmhouse decor, sporting art, old master print, copper engraving, Frankfurt 1650, pre-Linnaean zoology, Historiae Naturalis, quadrupeds, antique equestrian art
