Artist: G. Freman. Designer of many plates in a Bible published by Richard Blome.
Engraver: L. Masson, engraver of some plates after G. Freeman.
Title: The Prodigal Son. Dives and Lazarus.
Signed, Numbered, and Titled: printed on both sides of the laid paper sheet: G Freman Inv. L. Masson sculp. 40. The Prodigal Son returned. Luke 15. G Freman Inv. P. [sic] Masson sculp. 41. Dives and Lazarus. Luke 16.
Dimensions: Image 13" x 8". Sheet 17 1/2" x 11 1/4".
Publisher: Richard Blome.
Edition: The history of the Old and New Testament extracted out of sacred Scripture, written by Nicolas Fontaine (under the pseudonym Le Sieur de Royaumont). Multiple editions issued in the late 17th–early 18th century.
Date: 1688-1705.
Materials and Techniques: engravings printed on both sides of a laid paper sheet.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: Margins are worn, torn, and soiled. Images are not affected. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Museums and Libraries: The British Museum has 49 plates from Blome’s New Testament series.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: British School XVII C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from the catalog entry and uses the catalog description of the comparable impressions from the British Museum collection.
- the double-sided engravings are highly valued among collectors due to their rarity and their technical complexity.
Each sheet contains dedications to aristocratic patrons. Richard Blome financed his publications through subscription patronage, incorporating the names and coats of arms of subscribers on individual plates. This revenue allowed him to manage the complexities of double-sided printing, a technique that ultimately made his large folio volumes much more user-friendly.