Hendrick Goltzius (1559-1617), da Maarten de Vos - - Il martirio di San Simone e di San Giuda Taddeo

Beautiful and rare original burin engraving “The Martyrdom of Saint Simon and Saint Jude Thaddeus,” after a subject by Martin de Vos for the series dedicated to “The Martyrdom of the Apostles.” A second-state specimen with the address “Aux 4 vents” erased and the addition of the second number on the right, with wide margins, on laid paper with an unreadable watermark, in excellent condition, the editorial crease visible and very light foxing at the margins, outside the printing area (see photo).
At the top are the names of the Saints above their heads; below the image, a two-line Latin inscription on two columns “Hic summo.../...sidera scandu[n]t,” in the center the numbers 10 and 11, at the right corner the number “11 of the series ‘The Martyrdom of the Apostles’.”
On the left in the foreground St. Simon stands reading the sacred texts, in his right hand the saw, symbol of his martyrdom; beside him St. Jude Thaddeus with the cross inverted, in the adjacent scene the two saints are attacked and struck with different weapons; in the background pagan buildings are collapsing perhaps before the power of the Christian faith
Strauss, 46.