Remigius Hogenberg

The engraver and cartographer, Remigius Hogenberg, was probably taught together with his brother Frans by his stepfather, the engraver Hendrick Terbrugghen, known as Pon­tanus. Remigius’ prints are of great rarity and often unique. In his early period he produced etchings on religious themes as well as allegorical genre scenes based in all likelihood on his own designs. From the 1560s Hogenberg worked mostly after designs by other artists. Those after Hans Bol in particular show that, while the drawing is somewhat naive, the etcher is nonetheless experienced. Around 1570 Hogenberg emigrated to England – more than likely for religious reasons.

This atmospheric landscape, embellished by numerous finely observed, attractive details, has been executed in a light and agile manner remarkably similar to the style of Hieronymus Cock. Much like his work, this picturesque scene with its broad panorama is structured by means of several parallel spatial layers and reveals a similar focus on narrative, genre-like detail. Hogenberg was in all probability familiar with Cock’s landscape series Variae Variarum Regionum (1558), which is based on designs by his brother Matthijs Cock. The labyrinth in the middle ground occurs in almost identical form in Cock’s depiction of the Labyrinth of Crete (Hollstein 21).

A superb early impression with beautiful tone, before the name of Hans Bol and before the address of Petri. Minor ageing, otherwise in excellent condition. The New Hollstein records just three impressions of the first state, which are in museum collections in Amsterdam, Brussels and Vienna.