L’impressor-gravador català Llorenç Déu (ca. 1580-1648). Algunes notícies.

Abstract

Llorenç Déu –until now better known as a printer than as an engraver— its outstanding during the seventeenth century alongside figures such as Abadal from Moià, Guasp from Mallorca and Jolis-Pla from Barcelona, all of them being time both printers and engravers. In 1606, together with his partner Sebastià Mathevat, he decided to travel to Lyon (at that time one of the most important typographic centers in Europe), with the aim of familiarizing himself with new graphic products. This journey represents solid proof of the existing commercial and artistic relations between Catalonia and France, exchanges which were maintained throughout the entire century. As a result of these international contacts, Llorenç Déu´s work stands out as an engraver of magnificent prints which have often been copied by ulterior carvers. His prints symbolise one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of catalan engraving.