Pieter BRUEGEL the Elder: The Sleeping Pedlar Robbed by Monkeys - 1562

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Engraving, by Pieter van der Heyden, edited by Hieronymus Cock. New Hollstein 34, 1st state (of 5); Lebeer 53; Sellink 117.

Impression of the 1st state (of 5) before addition of a second building left to the one in the upper left corner, and before the modification of the publisher’s address and the addition of a caption in the lower margin.

Fine impression printed on watermarked laid paper (gothic P). Trimmed (11 mm) inside the blank part bottom. Thread margins (2-3 mm) outside the platemark on the three other sides (sheet: 218 x 298 mm). Light staining of the sheet paper and two tiny scratches. Generally in good condition.

The Sleeping Pedlar Robbed by Monkeys is a traditional folk motive, to which Bruegel gives a delightful vividness. This print is often compared to an anonymous German woodcut from the end of the 15th century, with a similar composition, but a rougher execution. The print by Pieter van der Heyden was itself widely circulated and copied many times.

Provenance: Ch. Favet (his stamp verso, Lugt 920): collection dating from mid 19th century, according to Lugt.