AMIDA FALLING IN LOVE WITH RINALDO 1644 Robert Blyth ANTIQUE ETCHING

Original 1644 16 1/2 inch x 23 1/4 inch Etching and Engraving titled AMIDA FALLING IN LOVE WITH RINALDO.

Armida falling in love with Rinaldo, who is asleep underneath a tree at right, while she places a flower garland around his shoulders, Cupid shooting an arrow above, the couple surrounded by putti, a river-goddess appearing from water in lower left.

Printed and published by Pieter de Bailliu (1613-1660). A Flemish engraver born at Antwerp. After having learned the first principles of engraving in his own country, he visited Italy for improvement, and there engraved some plates. He returned to Antwerp after 1637, and from 1640 to 1660 engraved several of the works of the most celebrated of the Flemish masters, particularly Rubens and Van Dyck.

From the painting by Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641). Van Dyck was the most important Flemish painter of the 17th century after Rubens, whose works influenced the young Van Dyck. He also studied and was profoundly influenced by the work of Italian artists, above all, Titian.

Inscription: Lettered in lower margin with production details and eight lines of verse in Latin by Lancelottus, beginning "Sopit ut ANRALDVM ..." and "Antonius van Dyck Eques pinxit" and "Petrus de Bailliu sculpsit et excudit".

The etching is in good condition with small pieces out of the upper left and lower left corners and a short tear in the bottom edge. There is general age-related toning and minor defects from handling. It is tacked to thicker paper.