The Three Maries Returning from the Tomb, after Bartholomaeus Spranger

As official engraver to Emperor Rudolf II at Prague Sadeler's collaboration with the court painter (and fellow Fleming) Spranger, produced some of the latest and most extravagant masterpieces of Mannerist printmaking. Reproducing part of a triptych for the chapel in Rudolf’s palace, The Three Maries is particularly elegant in design, brilliant in cutting, and stylized in feeling. Although this impression lacks the inscription, which would indicate the print’s state, it is evidently early and very fine. Steinberg acquired his 23 engravings by Aegidius, and dozens more by his family members, while their work was practically ignored.