Description:One of several etchings and engravings of sailboats and ships out at sea, A Fleet of Galleys Escorted by a Caravel is one of Bruegel's finest. His mastery with the burin and love for intaglio printing processes is evident with this work. From each, individual rivet on the cannons to the small, leaf pattern seen in the flags at the top of the mast, Bruegel's attention to detail here is astounding. Shaded so these boats appear monumental in form and scale, it is as if we were out to sea with them, part of this fleet being "escorted by a caravel." By definition, a caravel is typically a small, Portuguese or Spanish sailing vessel dating from the Middle Ages or later usually equipped with two or three masts.
Created in c. 1561-2, this work is from the first state of three engraved by Frans Huys after an original drawing by Pieter Bruegel. Inscribed at the lower left: ·F ·H and at the lower right breugel, there is also along the text box in the lower margin, · Cum · priuileg inscribed in the lower right.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) :
1. Bastelaer, René van. The Prints of Peter Bruegel the Elder, Catalogue Raisonné New Edition, Alan Wofsy Fine Arts: San Francisco, 1992. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 107 on pg. 125.
2. Briquet, C.M. Les Filigranes Dictionnaire Historique des Marques du Papier, tome troisième L - O, Verlag von Karl W. Hiersemann: Leipzig, 1923. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 9696, detailed on pg. 508.
3. Orenstein, Nadine M., ed. for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Drawings and Prints, Yale University Press: New Haven, 2001. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 93 on pgs. 214-5.
About the Framing:
Set in an Spanish style black and gold frame, the ribbon detailing of the moulding compliments the meandering curved shapes within the image. The black and gold coloration of the work also serves to enhance the contrasting colors within the frame as well. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats with a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.
