Ex libris van de boekverkoper Prosper Marchand 'In den Parijschen boekwinkel' in de St. Jacobsstraat te Amsterdam 1683 - 1733

This 18th-century engraving by Bernard Picart, titled "Ex libris van de boekverkoper Prosper Marchand 'In den Parijschen boekwinkel' in de St. Jacobsstraat te Amsterdam," is a bookplate, a small design that identifies the owner of a book. The intricate design features a phoenix rising from flames, symbolizing rebirth and the enduring power of knowledge. The Latin inscription "Post funera reddit vita" translates to "After death, life returns," further emphasizing the phoenix's symbolism. The bookplate was created for Prosper Marchand, a Parisian bookseller, and likely served as a mark of his shop, "In den Parijschen boekwinkel," located in the St. Jacobsstraat of Amsterdam. The inscription at the bottom provides further details about Marchand's profession and location. The engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the artistic craftsmanship and symbolic imagery employed in bookplates during the Baroque period.