After Peter Paul Rubens - Landscape with Milkmaids and Cows Engraving 1638

This incredibly rare original engraving after Peter Paul Rubens, depicts a 'Landscape with Milkmaid and Cows.' It was engraved by Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert and published by Gillis Hendricx around 1638 in Antwerp. It is most likely a fourth state as it is identical to one in the British Museum Collection, which like this work includes Hendricx's address. This work was part of series of twenty small landscape paintings after Rubens that Bolswert engraved (the British Museum hold a complete set).
 
The landscape in the engraving shows a pond with cows and two milkmaids beside it. One of the milkmaids is leaning over to fill up a bucket with water whilst the other watches on. In the distance a lone angler can also be seen on bank in what appears to be a small island in the centre of the large pond. Interestingly, the work that this engraving was based on still exists (unlike many of the other works in this series) and is currently in the Collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, inv.no.412 (scroll through photographs to see this work). It is in reverse to the engraving which was common practice until the late 18th century and early 19th century. Interestingly, the curated notes for the Liechtenstein work expand upon the knowledge of the landscape, suggesting that Rubens may have based the composition on Italian models, since he possessed a woodcut of a 'Landscape with a Milkmaid' after Titian.
 
Inscriptions. Lettered in lower left margin: "P.P. Rubens pinxit. / S à Bolswert sculpsit." and in the lower right "Gillis Hendricx / excudit Antuerpiæ."
 
Condition report. In excellent condition for its age. Small amounts of foxing in the margins as shown in the photograph, these are not obvious in the main landscape. Presented in a new acid free mount ready for framing.
 
Dimensions. The full plate measures roughly 32 x 44.6 cm. The mounted work measures 48.8 x 61.5 cm.