BOSSE Abraham (1602 - 1676) - "The Mad Virgins... - Lot 47 - Eric Caudron

BOSSE Abraham (1602 - 1676) - "The Mad Virgins doze while waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom". c.1635. Original etching. Ref: Duplessis, n°47. Lambert & Préaud, n°112. Proof of the 1st state out of 2 (before the address of Le Blond), on watermarked laid paper (three small circles in a crown). Plate 5 of the suite of 7 pieces "Les Vierges sages et les Vierges folles". Mad virgins sitting in an interior, dozing in front of the hearth. They hold screens. The carpet of the sideboard is decorated with a festoon, and the piece of furniture supports Chinese vases and a basket of flowers. On the table in the right foreground, a small open book is leaning on a globe. On the back wall, paintings with profane subjects are hanging: Venus and Love, a gallant scene, Adonis going hunting; the painting on the mantelpiece shows again Venus and Love. In the foreground on the left, the oil lamps are lying on the floor, unlit. Beautiful impression. 25,6 x 32 cm. Condition A/B (cut at the edge of the copper mark, small restoration at the lower left corner, tiny worm hole at the upper left corner).