We've come across a group of 14 prints apparently depicting biblical allegories, pictured in 16th century Flanders. All we know about them is what we see on them, and a small bit of info dug up on the Web (see below). Click the thumbnails here for larger scans.

The pages are each 9.5 inches (24+ cm) wide, 6.75 inches (17+ cm) high. The borders enclose areas 8.25 inches (21 cm) wide, 5.5 inches (14 cm) high. The interior scenes are 6.5 (16.5 cm) inches wide, 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) high.

The italic texts printed in the borders (underneath and between the natural subjects depicted therein) seem to say: Johannes bol inuentor | inuetor, Edwart | Edwardus ab Hoeswinkel | Hoeswikel stisscher Esc., adri.collaert.fecit, Antuer | Antuerpie. We thus assume that these were engraved by or after the popular Flemish artist (Johannes or) Hans Bol (1534-1593) and printed by Flemish engraving publisher Eduard van Hoeswinkel in Antwerp circa 1600.

Bol apparently started the first school of watercolors in Europe (see About Painting). A set of 12 of his drawings, THE SEASONS, was auctioned by Sotheby's in January 2001 for US$1.8 million (see Temperature Rising). Bol was prodigious, and much-plagiarized. How popular was Bol? Was he the Thomas Kinkaide of the 16th century?

If you recognize these prints, have information on them, know their value, please email us -- thanks.