Romeyn de Hooghe 1645-1708 [artist].

Korte beschryving benevens eene naauwkeurige afbeelding en verdere gezichten, van 't Koninglyke Lusthuis 't Loo, op de Veluwe in Gelderland.

Amsteldam, G.W. van Egmond, 1786.

8°. 16 pp., with 14 etched and engraved plates on [28] leaves, of which 1 folded.

Original publisher printed boards with title on front cover. It shows the palace in its entirety including the side wings.

Complete copy in original binding of Romeyn de Hooghe’s wonderful print series showing the greatest Dutch palace and – especially – its gardens, which were then brand new. The palace was built for William (Willem) III (1650-1702) and signifies the summum of Dutch wealth and glory. The career of the wonderful etcher De Hooghe was intricately connected to that of William III, who rose to vast power, ultimately resulting in the crown of England. De Hooghe supported William III by etching an array of political prints. William III purchased the medieval castle Het Oude Loo in 1684. On its grounds, he ordered the creation of one of the most prestigious houses of the time, with vast surrounding gardens. The prints give a good impression of the rich settings of this royal country house. Romeyn de Hooghe (1645-1708), apart from making this print series, was also commissioned to design several statues for the gardens of Het Loo. Thus, the creation of the new Loo and the subsequent commission for this print series was a high point for both William III and De Hooghe.

The first print in this series is a stunning folding view of the palace, measuring a staggering 19 x 128 cm and consisting of three etchings put together. In front of the building, King-Stadholder Willem III and his party are shown returning from a grand hunt. All the way on the left, the old castle is visible in the background, as a reminder of Het Loo’s heritage. The other 13 plates are double-page and show, in De Hooghe’s virtuous etching style, the various parts of the very innovatively and modernly designed garden.

This edition was published some 80 years after the death of De Hooghe, reflecting a renewed interest in Het Loo during this period. The accompanying text notes with some frustration that Stadholder Willem V had been residing at Het Loo due to the inability to return to his usual residence in The Hague because of political developments. The series was first published without text around 1695 by the Amsterdam-based publisher Pieter Persoy. The latter’s name was replaced by Egmond’s for the present edition.

This rare print series has been extensively described and reproduced in 2007 by the then palace director John R. ter Molen in 't Konings Loo: een serie prenten met gezichten van paleis Het Loo en zijn tuinen, vervaardigd door Romeyn de Hooghe en omstreeks 1695 voor het eerst uitgegeven.

Condition: spine worn, covers slightly rubbed, remains of glue on corner of front cover. Cancelled library stamp of Gemeentemuseum Arnhem on foot of title-page and blank verso. Otherwise in very good condition.

Bibliography:

STCN ID17370848X (just 2 copies: KB & Rijksmuseum).

Not in BL.

Only twice recorded at auction: 2010 (Adams Amsterdam Auctions); 2012 (Burgersdijk and Niermans's Auction).

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Hollstein IX nos. 308-321.

Landwehr (1970) no. 109.

Ter Molen, 't Konings Loo : een serie prenten met gezichten van paleis Het Loo en zijn tuinen, vervaardigd door Romeyn de Hooghe en omstreeks 1695 voor het eerst uitgegeven. Alphen aan den Rijn, 2007.

Van Nierop et al. Romeyn de Hooghe : De verbeelding van de Gouden Eeuw (2008), 1786.01.