The Eight Wonders of the World

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: No

Description: Complete set of The Eight Wonders of the World, engraved by Philips Galle in 1572, after drawings by Maarten van Heemskerck, with accompanying Latin verses by the humanist Hadrianus Junius. This celebrated series imaginatively reinterprets the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Worldand adds an eighth, the Colosseum in Romethrough the lens of Northern Mannerism and Renaissance antiquarianism.nEach engraving presents not only the architectural marvel itself, but also an elaborate figural scene that blends classical reference, allegory, and artistic fantasy. Van Heemskercks designs, likely conceived after his return from Italy, convey a dynamic and theatrical vision of antiquity, populated by sculptors, rulers, gods, and mythic figures.n1. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt A crowned and bearded pharaoh (possibly Khufu) is seated beside two standing putti, gazing upward at a bird of prey carrying a sandal in its beak. To the right, labourers construct the pyramids, preparing bricks and firing them in a large kiln. In the background rise a stepped pyramid and several obelisks.n2. The Lighthouse of Alexandria A seated king (likely Ptolemy) consults with an architect, possibly Sostratus of Cnidus. The great lighthouse, situated on a rocky promontory, emits beams of light. Below, a town spreads out, with a meandering aqueduct and numerous sailing vessels at sea.n3. The Statue of Jupiter at Olympia Inside a temple, the colossal seated figure of Jupiter holds flames and a sphere, his eagle beside him. Visitors approach with offerings. In the foreground, a crowned man presents a laurel wreath to a kneeling figure; to the right, nude athletes engage in wrestling.n4. The Colossus of Rhodes To the left, a sculptor (Chares of Lindos?), crowned with laurels, designs the colossus on paper, while assistants polish sculptural fragments, including a colossal head. Beyond, the giant statue stands holding a smoking urn, overlooking a busy harbour and an imagined view of Rhodes.n5. The Temple of Diana at Ephesus At right, a king (possibly Croesus of Lydia) issues instructions to labourers who hammer, chisel, and measure blocks and a column. To the left stands the monumental temple of Diana, richly adorned with sculptures, with a distant cityscape beyond.n6. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus At right, a regal woman (likely Artemisia) stands with her entourage and an architect (Pythius?), admiring the structure. To the left, sculptors are at work. Behind them rises the mausoleum, a stepped edifice embellished with elaborate reliefs and statuary.n7. The Walls of Babylon In the foreground, the warrior queen Semiramis, crowned and mounted on horseback, draws a bow. To the left is the citys gate; at centre, the fortified walls and a great tower; and to the right, the famed Hanging Gardens.n8. The Colosseum, Rome In the foreground at right, a Roman emperor on horseback observes the arena, accompanied by attendants. To the left, a sculpture of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus and a large marble foot evoke Romes mythic origins. Behind, gladiators fight before a monumental statue of Zeus within the Colosseum.nThese engravings were more than antiquarian reconstructions; they were statements of Renaissance humanist learning and artistic ambition. By including the Colosseumabsent from classical liststhe series affirms Romes symbolic continuity with the ancient world. Galles finely executed plates, published in Antwerp, reflect both the influence of Italian art and the flourishing print culture of the Low Countries.nComplete sets are rare, especially in good condition. This suite is not only a triumph of sixteenth-century printmaking, but also a window into how the Renaissance reimagined the classical past for a new era.

Engraver: Galle, Philips

First published: Antwerp: 1572

Image Size (cm): 26.2×21.3

Mapmaker: Heemskerck, Maarten van

Notes: Purchase details

Primary Category: Prints & Related Material

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

Sheet size (cm): 35×23.5

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1572