Lot 626: Two Unframed Old Master Prints: Theodor de Bry (Flemish, 1528-1598), Alchemist's Studio, engraving from a large series of book illustr

Two Unframed Old Master Prints:

Theodor de Bry (Flemish, 1528-1598), Alchemist's Studio, engraving from a large series of book illustrations, unsigned, inscribed "PAUPERTATEM ALI...FUGIT, AST HIS ADVOCAT IPSAM" within the plate across the bottom edge, 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 in., matted; Continental School, 15th Century, Christ Releasing Souls from Purgatory, unsigned, incunable woodcut illustration, image size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in., matted. Condition: Both with toning, both with sheets trimmed to image, Christ laid down on paper support.

N.B. The term incunabula (also incunable or incunabulum) refers to a book, pamphlet or other document that was printed, and not handwritten, before the start of the 16th century in Europe. According to an unattributed, typed label accompanying Christ Releasing Souls from Purgatory, the image came from Het leben Jesu Christi, a book compiled by Ludolph of Saxony and printed at Antwerp in 1487. However, the label further states that these particular blocks were printed in Swolle in 1495.