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Scripture
Annunciation to the Shepherds & Circumcision of Christ, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Anno Domini MDCC1700
£195
$260 · €230
Original print, not a reproduction
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- Date
- 1700
- Sheet size
- 17.7 × 11 in (45 × 28 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Very good condition. Strong impression with wide margins. Minor toning and faint foxing at the edges, small handling marks consistent with age. Central images remain clean and detailed.
- Faith
- Christianity
- Collection
- Scripture
- Era
- 1700 to 1799, Mortier, Picart and the illustrated Bible
- Stock no.
- f_46664832
Annunciation to the Shepherds & Circumcision of Christ, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Original antique engraving from Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700. The plate presents two early episodes from the Gospel of Luke, finely engraved in the baroque style that characterizes Mortier’s monumental illustrated Bibles.
The upper scene shows the Annunciation to the Shepherds (Luke II, 8 to 14). An angel appears in radiant light, surrounded by heavenly hosts, to announce the birth of Christ to shepherds tending their flocks by night. The shepherds react with awe and fear, shielding their eyes and falling to the ground, while sheep and rustic details of the countryside complete the composition. The dramatic play of light and shadow captures the moment’s divine revelation and its impact on ordinary people.
The lower scene depicts the Circumcision of Christ (Luke II, 21). The infant Jesus is held by a priest in a temple setting while Mary kneels nearby, and elders observe the ritual. The architecture with its arches and columns emphasizes the solemnity of the event, which represents Christ’s incorporation into the covenant of Israel. This moment in the Gospel also foreshadows his later sacrifice.
These engravings reflect the high quality of Pieter Mortier’s publishing house, combining religious instruction with expressive artistry. Each scene is carefully composed to convey both theological meaning and dramatic intensity, appealing to a wide audience in early 18th-century Europe.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Strong impression with wide margins. Minor toning and faint foxing at the edges, small handling marks consistent with age. Central images remain clean and detailed.
Framing tips:
A cream or ivory double-aperture mat will highlight the two scenes, balancing the contrast between the nocturnal countryside of the shepherds and the architectural grandeur of the temple. A walnut or black wooden frame will give strength to the composition, while a gilt frame will emphasize the divine light and elevate the devotional qualities.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier, Amsterdam, ca. 1700
