Johann Zahn: "Mundus Primus Archetypus sive Idealis et. Intellectualis"
Johann Zahn (1641-1707) was a seventeenth century German polymath who authored a compendium of mathematics and natural history titled Specula Physico-Mathematico-Historica Notabilium ac Mirabilium Sciendorum. Published in 1696, the work is superbly illustrated with celestial maps after Hevelius, maps of the sun and moon, world maps, and many tables and charts for making astrological predictions. This particular engraving is reflective of a decorative, baroque style being employed to illustrate a fundamental Hermetic concept. Specifically, the idea that the universe itself is a mental construct and that all phenomena of life, matter and energy are thoughts of an infinite and universal living mind. This is visually represented through employing spheres set within one another to provide a sense of harmony, agreement and correspondence between the physical, mental and spiritual planes.
This hand-colored engraving was examined carefully before framing and is a sharp impression on a bright paper sheet. There is a watermark of a soldier holding a sword set within the paper which is visible when backlit. There is some very minor soiling in the margins outside the plate mark generally to the left side. There are a few small and indistinct spots within the plate area itself. There is an old paper repair to a short 1.5 cm centerfold separation at the bottom of the page that did not extend into the plate mark and was easily matted out in the final framing. There is a centerfold as issued in the printing, but it is remarkably absent visually in the final presentation. Summary conventions: Excellent, fine/near-fine, A.
All materials used in framing meet museum conservation standards. The glass deployed is high quality Museum glass which is UV resistant and anti-reflective allowing the image to be viewed from any angle with minimal internal reflections to distract the viewer. The frame is wood and gesso with a hand rolled pattern with gold gilt. We added a molded inner fillet and the matt color was chosen to complement the hand coloring of the decorative design without distracting the viewer from the artwork itself. Hanger for wall display is installed.
Dimensions:
Overall frame size: 21⅛” x 23⅝”
Opening size: 14⅞ x 17¾“
We invite questions about this piece and are more than happy to arrange a video meeting or answer queries in writing via email at grahamandcarolyns@gmail.com.
Shipping to be determined.
Johann Zahn (1641-1707) was a seventeenth century German polymath who authored a compendium of mathematics and natural history titled Specula Physico-Mathematico-Historica Notabilium ac Mirabilium Sciendorum. Published in 1696, the work is superbly illustrated with celestial maps after Hevelius, maps of the sun and moon, world maps, and many tables and charts for making astrological predictions. This particular engraving is reflective of a decorative, baroque style being employed to illustrate a fundamental Hermetic concept. Specifically, the idea that the universe itself is a mental construct and that all phenomena of life, matter and energy are thoughts of an infinite and universal living mind. This is visually represented through employing spheres set within one another to provide a sense of harmony, agreement and correspondence between the physical, mental and spiritual planes.
This hand-colored engraving was examined carefully before framing and is a sharp impression on a bright paper sheet. There is a watermark of a soldier holding a sword set within the paper which is visible when backlit. There is some very minor soiling in the margins outside the plate mark generally to the left side. There are a few small and indistinct spots within the plate area itself. There is an old paper repair to a short 1.5 cm centerfold separation at the bottom of the page that did not extend into the plate mark and was easily matted out in the final framing. There is a centerfold as issued in the printing, but it is remarkably absent visually in the final presentation. Summary conventions: Excellent, fine/near-fine, A.
All materials used in framing meet museum conservation standards. The glass deployed is high quality Museum glass which is UV resistant and anti-reflective allowing the image to be viewed from any angle with minimal internal reflections to distract the viewer. The frame is wood and gesso with a hand rolled pattern with gold gilt. We added a molded inner fillet and the matt color was chosen to complement the hand coloring of the decorative design without distracting the viewer from the artwork itself. Hanger for wall display is installed.
Dimensions:
Overall frame size: 21⅛” x 23⅝”
Opening size: 14⅞ x 17¾“
We invite questions about this piece and are more than happy to arrange a video meeting or answer queries in writing via email at grahamandcarolyns@gmail.com.
Shipping to be determined.
Johann Zahn (1641-1707) was a seventeenth century German polymath who authored a compendium of mathematics and natural history titled Specula Physico-Mathematico-Historica Notabilium ac Mirabilium Sciendorum. Published in 1696, the work is superbly illustrated with celestial maps after Hevelius, maps of the sun and moon, world maps, and many tables and charts for making astrological predictions. This particular engraving is reflective of a decorative, baroque style being employed to illustrate a fundamental Hermetic concept. Specifically, the idea that the universe itself is a mental construct and that all phenomena of life, matter and energy are thoughts of an infinite and universal living mind. This is visually represented through employing spheres set within one another to provide a sense of harmony, agreement and correspondence between the physical, mental and spiritual planes.
This hand-colored engraving was examined carefully before framing and is a sharp impression on a bright paper sheet. There is a watermark of a soldier holding a sword set within the paper which is visible when backlit. There is some very minor soiling in the margins outside the plate mark generally to the left side. There are a few small and indistinct spots within the plate area itself. There is an old paper repair to a short 1.5 cm centerfold separation at the bottom of the page that did not extend into the plate mark and was easily matted out in the final framing. There is a centerfold as issued in the printing, but it is remarkably absent visually in the final presentation. Summary conventions: Excellent, fine/near-fine, A.
All materials used in framing meet museum conservation standards. The glass deployed is high quality Museum glass which is UV resistant and anti-reflective allowing the image to be viewed from any angle with minimal internal reflections to distract the viewer. The frame is wood and gesso with a hand rolled pattern with gold gilt. We added a molded inner fillet and the matt color was chosen to complement the hand coloring of the decorative design without distracting the viewer from the artwork itself. Hanger for wall display is installed.
Dimensions:
Overall frame size: 21⅛” x 23⅝”
Opening size: 14⅞ x 17¾“
We invite questions about this piece and are more than happy to arrange a video meeting or answer queries in writing via email at grahamandcarolyns@gmail.com.
Shipping to be determined.