Théâtre d'amour
The gift of love
This collection of late 16th and early 17th century love emblems was amassed around 1620 by an unknown lover, doubtless consumed by passion and fiery loins, and given to his or her lover as a token of romance and affection. Composed of mythological, allegorical, and even erotic prints, the emblems (created by printmakers such as Abraham Bloemaert, Pieter Brueghel, Agostino Carracci, and Jacob Goltzius) illustrated scenes like The Trades of Cupid, The Seven Deadly Sins, The Seven Virtues, The Muses, The Loves of the Gods, and Five Senses.
Publication, or collecting and binding, of love emblems was a novel and popular pastime in the Netherlands in the early 17th century, and the particular album reproduced here is an outstanding example. Meticulously colored and heightened with gold and silver, these prints surely won the heart of their lucky receiver. Though the album`s exact provenance is unknown (due to the removal of the original insignia by a later owner), the outstanding quality, coloring, and extensive use of gold and silver suggests that it was produced for a rich, cultivated, and probably infatuated client. Since use of color was rare and albums were often one of a kind, it is likely that this copy is completely unique; its 143 folios are all reproduced here in their original size (25.3 x 18.5 cm), complete with an introduction and accompanying descriptions by author Carsten-Peter Warncke.
What would the original owner have said if he or she knew the album would end up, 400 years later, warming the hearts of so many?
About the author:
Carsten-Peter Warncke studied art history, classical archaeology, and literature in Vienna, Heidelberg, and Hamburg, and received his doctorate from the latter in 1975. He is professor of art history at the University of Göttingen.
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Théâtre d'amour
Warncke, Prof. Dr. Carsten-Peter / Koch, Ingo / B. Marshall Rare Illustrated Books
Hardcover, 18.5 x 25.3 cm (7.3 x 10 in.), 352 pages $ 34.99 ISBN: 978-3-8228-3572-2 Edition: English Availability: Not in Stock |
- Reviews (20 items)
"Cet éditeur allemand nous étonne à chaque fois. Il nous propose ici un recueil compilé par un collectionneur français de 143 gravures coloriées figurant des emblèmes d'amour, sous forme de représentations mythologiques, allégoriques et érotiques. Cette somptueuse édition est le reprint d'un exemplaire unique du XVIIè siècle. Un cadeau idéal pour un homme cultivé."
Aventures et dossiers secrets de l'histoire, Paris, France
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- Clippings (14 items)
Naturally born voyeurist
Style Monte Carlo, Monaco, December 01, 2004
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- See also (1 items)
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Braun/Hogenberg, Cities of the World The complete reprint of all 363 color plates from Braun and Hogenberg's survey of town maps, city views, and plans of Europe, Africa, Asia and Central America. First published in Cologne 1572-1617. Printed from a rare and superbly preserved original set of six volumes, belonging to the Historische Museum in Frankfurt |