Vianen, Jan van (1660-1726) after Hooghe, Romeyn de (1645-1708)
[Antique engraving] A natural history cabinet/Rariteitenkabinet/Wunderkammer [Wondertoneel der Nature, 1706]
The natural history cabinet of Levinus Vincent (Rariteitenkabinet/Wunderkammer). Engraved frontispiece by Jan van Vianen after Romeyn de Hooghe, from Vincent’s “Wondertoneel der Nature” published in Amsterdam in 1706. The print depicts the cabinet in a circular room with an open balustrade in the ceiling (very similar to the central room in the Teylers Museum in Haarlem) with the text: “THEATRUM NATURAE MIRANDUM” and many showcases around with specimens of the collection.
A couple is portrayed entering the room from the back. In the foreground, several allegorical figures.
Levinus Vincent (1658-1727) was a baptist merchant (i.a. damask) in Amsterdam and Haarlem. His collection of curiosities was one of the largest and most famous in the Netherlands, with lots of naturalia, artificialia, antiquities, paintings, drawings and many other specimens. Part of the collection he acquired from his brother in law Anthony van Breda [“Antonio Breda” is inscribed on the round frame around the bust portrait of Breda within the room]. Vincent corresponded with other collectors in England (Petiver, Sloane, and others) and Germany, and was a member of the Royal Society in London. After Vincent’s death in 1727 the collection became the property of Pieter Bout.
Signed at bottom: “R.d.Hoge Inv: / J. v. Viane Fecit”.
€ 363,00 (€ 300,00 ex. btw)