"The wandering Jew as seen in Brussels in 1774" - hand painted engraving - the first illustration of the wandering ...

"The wandering Jew as seen in Brussels in 1774" - hand painted engraving - the first illustration of the wandering Jew scene

Le Juif-errant, tel qu'il a été vu à Bruxelles, en Brabant, en 1774 - "The Wandering Jew, as Seen in Brussels, Brabant, in 1774" - Hand colored etching, published by Parigi, Julienne, c. 1774. The first etching to depict the scene of the Wandering Jew in full page size, accompanied by the poem of the Wandering Jew. French. Rare.

The center features the Wandering Jew with his walking stick in hand, behind him three time periods are depicted - ancient merchants, a scene from the time of Jesus, and 18th century European nobility figures. To the right and left are verses from the lament of the Wandering Jew, opening with the lines: "Is there nothing on earth more astonishing than the great misery of the poor Wandering Jew? How sad and pitiful his fate seems!", and describing the scene of burghers approaching the Wandering Jew whom they have "never seen a man so aged, his clothes tattered...". The Jew then tells them of his bitter fate, condemned to wander and walk eternally... He apologizes that he would be happy to sit and drink with them, but he cannot sit, he must stand... He then tells them how he mocked Jesus as he was being led to his execution, and has since been condemned to wander for all generations, describing the peoples and lands he has seen over hundreds of years of wandering, changing identities each time. The Jew apologizes that he cannot continue talking with them and departs to continue his endless journey.

As far as is known, this etching published by Parigi, Julienne is the first full page etching that inaugurated the series of etchings issued throughout the 19th century in France depicting the Wandering Jew in various scenes, with the verses of the lament before us appearing in each one.

[1] leaf. 38x30 cm. Light stains. Good condition.