
Original unsigned burin engraving, presumably by Harman Jansz van Muller.
Printed on watermarked laid paper in early 17th-century.
This is an illustration of the Gospel according to Matthew 25.20-23,
"And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
Latin caption in the lower part of the engraving. Numbered references "5" at the bottom of the engraving and in the lower right corner in the caption section, and manuscript notation "107" in the margin in the upper right corner. An old manuscript annotation in Greek characters below the right corner of the plate mark. Watermark. Rare and discrete foxing to the margins, light stains and traces of marginal dampstaining not affecting the engraving, a minimal lack of paper to a corner, otherwise very fine condition for this extremely rare engraving.
The engraver Harman Jansz van Muller worked with Cornelis Cort (also known as Cornelio Fiammingo), and may have been his pupil.