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In the Temple of Tanfan - the priest Libys pointing to statue of Drusus

Maker

(artist)
1655-1698

Title

Date of Production

(circa) 1689 - 1690

Medium

pen and grey ink, grey wash, white bodycolour (for erasure), on laid paper, incised for transfer, with grey ink framing lines, the verso prepared for transfer with red chalk

Dimensions

Height: 19.8 cm
Width: 16.1 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.2542

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords

Label Text

This drawing, one of many Sandrart made for engraved plates, illustrates a scene from a patriotic political novel by Daniel Casper von Lohenstein (1635-1683) in which primitive Germans are favourably contrasted with the corrupt, civilized Romans. The book describes the exploits of Hermann, formerly known as Arminius, who, on returning to his homeland after long service as a Roman officer, led a successful revolt against the Roman forces and was declared a national hero. In this scene, the priest Libys points to a statue of Drusus, while German warriors set about its destruction - possibly an allusion to the assault on the Catholic Church during the Reformation.

Provenance

E. Parsons & Sons (London); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b, n.d.; Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

The Witt Collection - Four centuries of drawings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 03/04/2004-20/06/2004

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: none.

Inscription: Recto: within the drawing, grey ink, at lower left on plinth and on various tablets scattered on the floor: “AC”; “GE[...] NI / VISVRGVS //”; “C[...]IVS / NVS //”; “DR[...]C”; “ALBIS / DANV //”; “AG”; “D”; “B”; “CAESA / AVG //”; lower left corner, grey ink, signed by the artist: “Joh. Jacob. de Sandrart del. Norimb:”. Verso: lower left corner, graphite, circled: “D.1608”.

Collector's mark: Verso: lower left corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

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