Sitivi et dedistis mihi bibere. (Matt. 25.35.). Gravure originale du XVIIe siècle

Original engraving executed with burin after a 16th-century painting by Maarten de Vos (or Martin).
Proof on watermarked laid paper, early 17th-century work.
This is an illustration of the Gospel according to Matthew 25.35, "I was thirsty, and you gave me drink".
Latin caption in the lower part of the engraving. Artist's signature in the plate. Numbered reference "3" in the lower right corner of the engraving, and manuscript notation "111" in the margin in the upper right corner.
An old manuscript annotation in Greek characters below the right corner of the plate mark. Watermark visible by transparency.
Rare and minimal foxing and marginal stains, not affecting the engraving, otherwise very fine condition for this extremely rare engraving of great freshness. Maarten de Vos (or Martin), Antwerp 1532-1603, was a Flemish painter. He was a pupil of Frans Floris, then completed his training with Tintoretto. He is credited with historical paintings in the Mannerist style, notably a 'Saint Paul Bitten by a Viper on the Island of Malta' (1568) which is in the Louvre Museum in Paris.