St Ambrose prohibiting the entrance to Emperor Theodosius.

Engraving, 43,1 x 29,5 cm, laid paper, signed in plate at lower right corner (some brown stains in margin).

Saint Ambrose of Milan refusing Emperor Theodosius access to Milan Cathedral after the massacre of 7,000 people at Thessalonica in 390. Ambrose told Theodosius to imitate David in his repentance as he had imitated him in guilt, and he readmitted the Emperor to the Eucharist only after several months of penance. After a painting by Rubens, now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (inv.no.524).
Ref. IFF 56. - Montaiglon 50.
Joined: 1. De Jode, Pieter II. After Lucas Faydherbe - Monument for the Pompa Funebris of Philip IV of Spain. Antwerp, 1666. Engraving, 52,8 x 32,7 cm, laid paper, signed and dated in plate at lower margin "Petrus de Jode Sculpsit 1666" (laid down on paper mount, trimmed inside platemarks, some heavy folding creases, brown stains).-- 2. Vorsterman, Lucas I - Christ on the Cross with Don Juan and a Franciscan monk. Engraving, 30,9 x 20 cm, laid paper, signed in the plate at lower left "Vorsterma[n]". Ref. Hollstein XLIII:30. (3 pcs)