Triton on a Giant Fish

Seventeenth-Century European Engraving and Mythological Maritime Art

This exquisite monochrome print is a masterclass in Baroque-era copperplate engraving, showcasing the intricate linework and deep dramatic contrasts characteristic of early modern European graphic arts. Titled with the Latin inscription “Pontus Quoque Serviet Illi” (The Sea Also Shall Serve Him), the composition explores themes of naval dominance, classical mythology, and human triumph over the natural world. The historic artwork serves as a compelling study in seventeenth-century allegory, capturing the intense cultural fascination with seafaring exploration and maritime folklore during the Golden Age of printmaking.

Classical Cherub Allegory and Rare Antique Intaglio Prints

The detailed visual landscape features a massive, heavily scaled sea monster reminiscent of a mythological whale or leviathan, with water jetting from its head while a small cherub rides atop its back. On either side, smaller marine creatures carrying putti rest on jagged rock formations against a background of historic architecture and tall-ship masts. Signed by the master printmaker Jan van de Velde II, this well-preserved intaglio specimen is exceptionally scarce, making it a premier acquisition for museum archives, art history scholars, and discerning collectors of fine antique etchings.