HSD (monogrammist), IS (monogrammist) and Van Der Borcht, Pieter, after.

£4,750 · Offered by Sokol Books

.This charming little book was in the library of Pellegrino Pellegrini (or Pellegrino Tibaldi, 1527-96) c.1583, the famous Italian Mannerist painter and architect, who worked extensively in Milan (esp. at the Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo) and at the Escorial, replacing Federico Zuccari. This autograph is strikingly similar, in shape and style of the letters, to that on a holograph architectural drawing of the Sanctuary of Caravaggio (Pellegrini, pl.VII). Illustrated works focusing on the New Testament were very popular at the time, Pellegrini had a similar one for the Old Testament in his library. Pellegrino may have used such works not only for personal devotion, but also as iconographic sources for his paintings (Giuliani, p.80). .Very rare collection of miniature biblical engravings illustrating episodes from the life of Christ. In addition to the title, this volume includes 57 exquisite plates here in fine impression out of a total of 60 (cf. Nagler, Brulliot and New Hollstein), plus an engraved title with charming and naturalistic depictions of plants and animals. Pocket-size collections of images like this one were carried around by artists as both instruments of personal devotion and sources of inspiration; for this reason they very rarely survive intact or complete. Of the 6 recorded copies in New Hollstein - excluding the present, which appears to be the only one known to have been bound 4 are incomplete and 1 unspecified. .18 engravings were cut by Monogrammist HSD.

• Binding: Hardcover

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