Engraving, second state
Signed ‘Hh ex.’ by Hendrick Hondius
Copy in same direction as Cock 1572 engraved Pictorum

20.4 x 12.1 cm

Transcription of Inscription [Lampsonius]:

LUCÆ GASSELO HELMONTANO PICTORI.
Salve omnes, Luca, ante alios carissime quondam
     Nec levius proprio culte parente mihi.
Quippe mihi primus graphices datus auctor amandae
     Dum pingis docta rura, casasque manu.
Par arte¹ probitasque tuae, candorque, bonorum
     Et quicquid mentes ducere amore potest.
Ergo fama tuae virtutis, et artis in aevum
     Vivat, utroque mihi nomine amate senex 

To Lucas Gassel of Helmond, painter.
Hail, Lucas, once more dear than all the rest, and no less honoured by me than my own father.  Indeed you were the first cause of loving painting offered to me, while you were painting fields and huts² with your learned hand.  Equal to your skill³ [else] can attract the minds of the good with love.  Therefore may the fame of your virtue and skill live forever, old man beloved to me on both counts.

Hollstein 1994 no.102

 Karel Van Mander’s biography of Lucas Gassel
 Grove Art Online biography

View the 1572 print
View both prints side by side

1. sic.
2. “rura casasque”.  See note on the text for Joachim Patinir.
3. I am reading Lampsonius’ “arti” for Hondius’ impossible “arte”. are your honesty and candour, and whatever