Czerna - Monastery, J.Ch.Proszowski, 17th century.

Aerial view of Eliaszówka Valley, above it the title:
"SACRA EREMUS RR.PP.CARMELITARUM, SUB TITULO S: ELIAE PROPHETAE IN REGNO POLONIAE EXSTRUCTA ET MUNIFICENTISSIME DOTATA | ab Illu⌠.ma D.AGNETE COMITISSA DE TECZIN FIRLEIOWA PALATINA CRACOVIENSI, in ⌠olo comitatus Tecziniami. Cuius Eremi ambitus muri in circumferentia per plana et abrupta tendens circiter unius miliaris et a Cracovia di⌠tans tribus miliaribus..."
In the lower left corner, an isolated view of the monastery itself, in the lower part of which is the signature of the author of the drawing: Ioa: Chri∫o∫tomus Proßowski | Aca: Rom: SRM. Pic. delineavit
In the lower right corner, a view of this valley with its surroundings in further perspective, with the markings of a further 8 locations (letters A- I )
Under the composition a description of 31 locations, and in the middle a cartouche with the publisher's dedication to the benefactor of the monastery - Lukasz Opalinski.
In the lower right corner of the sheet a publisher's note: Georgius Forsterus Excudit.
Original copperplate etching, 17th century, measuring 38.5 x 48.5cm (including title and description), on a sheet 39 x 50.2 cm.
Extremely rare polonicum depicting the Valley of Eliaszówka . The Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Czerna, was founded by Agnes of Tęczynska Firlejowa (1578-1644) in 1629. After the founder's death, the monastery was taken care of by Łukasz Opaliński the Elder (1581-1654). There is a dedication and a note by the Danzig bookseller and publisher Jerzy Förster (ca. 1615-1660), so the graphic was probably published before 1660. The author of the drawing was Jan Chryzostom Proszowski (ca. 1599-1667), a Cracow servitor and court painter to King Jan Kazimierz.
Condition: clipped margins just behind the plate imprint (minimally beveled title at the top), paper loss in the lower right corner, and a hole above number 26. paper soiled, with traces of flooding on the left, glued to cardboard at the edges of the sheet, creases, small tear at the bottom.
Bibliography: Talbierska J., "Grafika XVII wieku w Polsce", Warsaw, 2011, p.78, - attributes the making of the engraving to Johannes Bensheimer, engraver active in the years around 1655-1695. The third piece of the engraving known to us (one in the collection of the monastery in Czerna, another was offered on the "market" some time ago ).
A rarity!