SADELER Raphael I

(Antwerp 1561 c. – Munich 1628)

The Sadeler family was the largest and most famous dynasty of Flemish engravers and printers, active in several European countries for three generations, producing a vast amount of generally high quality works.
The progenitor was Jan de Saeyelleer (Sadeleer), who had three sons: Jan I, Aegidius I and Raphael I, the first generation of engravers. The political and religious uncertainties and the period of economic crisis in Antwerp forced the Sadeler to multiple transfers: Cologne, Munich, Venice and Prague. Raphael was a draftsman and engraver. Like other members of his family, he was active in several cities in Germany and mostly in Venice.