Abraham Bloemaert (Dutch 1564-1651)

Artist: After Abraham Bloemaert (Dutch 1564-1651).
Publisher: Willem van Vliet 1820.
Title: The Empire of Neptune.
Medium: Etching on laid “HW” watermarked paper.
Image Size: Height 15 cm x Width 20 cm. (Note: this item is not framed but is mated with acid-free mount board).
Condition: Very good clean sheet.

About: Neptune, ruler of the sea is pulled by dolphins holding a trident. The dolphins who chased the Nereid (sea nymph) Amphitrite (goddess of the sea) when she fled from Neptune's advances persuaded her to come back and become his bride. Here she rides alongside Neptune on the back of a dolphin. Neptune and Amphitrite are surrounded by Sea Nymphs and Tritons. Above them hover Putti.

Abraham Bloemaert was a Dutch painter and printmaker he initially worked in the style of the "Haarlem Mannerists". By the beginning of the 17th century, he adopted the newly developing Baroque style, and mainly painted history subjects and landscapes.