Pieter Jalhea Furnius

Pieter Furnius studied under Lambert Lombard in Liège. Between 1563 and 1571 he worked as an engraver in the famous Antwerp publishing house run by Christoph Plantin and his services were also engaged by the publisher, Hieronymus Cock. During the heyday of Antwerp Mannerism, Furnius made a series of engravings after designs by Pieter Bruegel, Michel Coxie, Johannes Stradanus and other prominent masters of his time as well as several engravings after his own inventions, such as this impressive Lamentation of Christ with its emotional pathos. A characteristic feature of Furnius’ style is his somewhat ponderous yet very expressive engraving style in which motifs transposed from High Renaissance Italian art are combined with a richness of detail generally found north of the Alps. The facial expressions, movements and gestures of the individual protagonists are rendered with great sensitivity. The emotional intensity of the scene is reminiscent of comparable works by the Wierix brothers. A very fine, even impression with margins. Minor ageing, otherwise in very good condition. Rare.