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De Mulieribus Claris
Detail
De Claris Mulieribus (Of Illustrious Women)
De Mulieribus Claris
Author: Giovanni Boccaccio (Italian, 1313–1375)
Illustrated by: Unidentified artist, German, 15th century
Printed by: Johann Zainer (German, active 1473–1493)
Illustrated by: Unidentified artist, German, 15th century
Printed by: Johann Zainer (German, active 1473–1493)
1473
Place of Publication: Ulm, Germany
Medium/Technique
Illustrated book with 81 woodcuts
Dimensions
Overall: 30.5 x 21.7 x 3 cm (12 x 8 9/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Maria Antoinette Evans Fund
Accession Number31.1401
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsIllustrated books
(Ulm: Johann Zainer, 1473) Folio; 118 leaves; blind- and gilt-stamped red leather binding.
Catalogue Raisonné
Goff B-716; Schreiber, Manuel, 3510; BMC II 521; GW 4483; Murray, German, 76
Description(Ulm: Johann Zainer, 1473) Folio; 118 leaves; blind- and gilt-stamped red leather binding.
Selected illustrations: Decorative border with Adam and Eve (fol. 3v); Ceres (7v); Europa (12r); Helen (36v); Sappho (48v); Tomyris (50v); Cleopatra (89v); Pope Joan (107v)
First dated edition and first Latin edition with woodcuts. The earliest illustrated book printed at Ulm. Previous attempts to associate the designer of the illustrations with the Master of the Housebook have been generally dismissed (Filedt Kok).
Selected illustrations: Decorative border with Adam and Eve (fol. 3v); Ceres (7v); Europa (12r); Helen (36v); Sappho (48v); Tomyris (50v); Cleopatra (89v); Pope Joan (107v)
First dated edition and first Latin edition with woodcuts. The earliest illustrated book printed at Ulm. Previous attempts to associate the designer of the illustrations with the Master of the Housebook have been generally dismissed (Filedt Kok).
ProvenanceUnidentified collector [see note 1]. Mark Masterman Sykes, 3d Bt. (b. 1771- d. 1823), Weymouth; May 14, 1824, Sykes Library sale, Mr. Evans, London, lot 621, sold for £26,5s. John Hayford Thorold (b. 1773- d. 1831), Syston Park, Lincolnshire [see note 2]; December 12-19, 1884, Syston Park Library sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, London, lot 305, sold for £29,10 to Bernard Quaritch (dealer), London. George Dunn (b. 1864 - d. 1912), Woolley Hall, near Maidenhead, Berkshire; November 22-29, 1917, Woolley Hall Library sale, part III, Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, London, lot 1927, sold for £290 to Bernard Quaritch (dealer), London. Edouard Rahir (b. 1862- d. 1924), Paris; May 6-8, 1931, Rahir Library sale, part II, Hotel Drouot, Paris, lot 264, sold to the MFA for $6,500. (Accession Date: July 1, 1931)
NOTES: [1] Blue leather shield label with rampant fox (?) and three stars. [2] Syston Park bookplate and monogram label.
NOTES: [1] Blue leather shield label with rampant fox (?) and three stars. [2] Syston Park bookplate and monogram label.