This colored print of mohammed in anachronistic 17th- or 18th-century garb comes from the 1719 german edition of the book description de l'univers, by alain manesson mallet, which was first published in paris in 1683 and later reprinted several times until 1719. The caption at the top says "der falshe profhet mahomet": "the false prophet mohammed" (hat tip: f. P. ). It essentially copies an etching of one of the biblical magi by the 17th century french artist jacques bellange (caspar, walch 27. 1) via a reversed copy by matthaeus merian, which is inscribed "melchior, rex nubia". The landscape background, sword and stick are additions to merian's image. See #31 a & b in anthony griffiths & craig hartley, jacques bellange, c. 1575-1616, printmaker of lorraine, british museum press, 1997. Date: 1719.
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