Antique Profession Print-GRAVE DIGGER-St. Clara-1699

Description: This scarse original old antique print / plate originates from: 'Spiegel van het Menselyk Bedryf' (Mirror of Human Activities.) or 'Iets voor Allen.' (Something for everyone.). See subject description for exact source. In 1694 the Amsterdam artists Jan and Casper Luyken published their celebrated work 'Spiegel van het Menselyk Bedryf.', a collection of one hundred fine engravings depicting the arts and crafts. Each print is depicting a particular occupation, with the name of the profession, one or two explanatory lines above the plate and followed by a six-line poem below. The book was an instant success and was reprinted many times up to 1767. Other printers and booksellers tried to gain profit from the popular best seller as well. The first of many pirated editions appeared as soon as 1695. As such the work by Abraham de St. Clara who published: 'Etwas fur Alle ...' or 'Iets voor Allen' (Something for everyone.) in several editions from 1699 on in both German and Dutch, is best known. This work had 200 engravings, including many, mostly in reverse, after the Luyken prints mentioned above. We carry many of these prints as well. Please inquire if you are looking for a particular profession, but cannot find it.

Artists and Engravers: Jan Luyken (1649-1712) belonged to the best engravers of the period. His son Casper (1672-1708) assisted with the making of the prints. Abraham a Sancta Clara (1644 - 1709) was an Austrian Augustinian Monk. His lay name was Johann Ulrich Megerle. He was friar, preacher, and author of popular books of devotion, known for his great eloquence.