Philipp GALLE (Haarlem 1537 - Antwerp 1612) "Bellona" Original burin engraving from a subject by Marten van Cleef belonging to a series of eight dedicated to the personification of economic activities, published in Antwerp in 1574 by Johannes Boel. Beautiful specimen printed with careful inking, very rich in gray tones, on a portion of thin laid paper bearing a "crowned eagle" watermark not exactly found on the Briquet but attributable to North European paper production of the 16th century, with large margins beyond the imprint of the slab, a tear on the right edge very far from the engraved field, overall in excellent general condition. The series includes subjects of great interest and indisputable topicality, such as agriculture, breeding, the textile industry, construction, the medical profession, maritime trade and others. The Goddess of War, sister of Mars, sumptuously occupies the center of the scene, all around is abundance of weapons and characters intent on their manufacture. Bibliography: British Museum 1950.0520.439; New Hollstein - Philips Galle No. 387. Measurements in mm: 206 x 247