A Series Of Engravings, Illustrating Those Important Events Recorded In The Sacred Scriptures, Which Have Been Selected, As Subjects For Their Pencils, By Raffaelle, Rubens, Caravaggio, Vandyke, Poussin, And Other Of The Old Masters; Together With A Critical Notice Of Each Picture, By John Landseer, Esq. F.A.S. And A.R.A. -
RA Collection: Book
Record number
06/5219
Imprint
London:: Published By Robert Bowyer, No 74, Pall Mall., T. Bensley, Printer, Crane Court, Fleet Street., 1825.
All plates are signed with the name of the source artist and the engraver (I. Bromley or W. Morrison).
Each of the first six plates carries the publisher's imprint of R. Bowyer (and the date 1825); each of the last six, the publishers' imprint of R. Bowyer and M. Parkes (and the date 1826).
The work is dedicated by Robert Bowyer to the King [George IV].
References
B.B., 'The Bowyer Bible', in Notes and Queries, 5 (1852), p.350-1.
Summary Note
The publication-date of 1825 is carried by the title page and by the first six plates; but the last six plates all carry the date of 1826.
The plates show nine paintings by Rubens, and one each by Caravaggio, Raphael and Poussin: [1] the Conversion of Paul, by Rubens (Acts 9); [2] the Massacre of the Innocents, by Rubens (Matt. 2); [3] Hagar's first departure, by Rubens (Genesis 16); [4] the Entombing of Christ, by Caravaggio (Luke 23); [5] the Descent from the Cross, by Rubens (Mark 15); [6] the Brazen Serpent, by Rubens (Numbers 21); [7] the Transfiguration of Christ, by Raphael (Luke 9); [8] Baptism, by Poussin (Matt. 3); [9] the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, by Rubens (Luke 5); [10] the Adoration of the Magi, by Rubens (Matt. 2); [11] the Raising of the Cross, by Rubens (Matt. 27); [12] the Judgment of Solomon, by Rubens (1 Kings 3).
Each plate except no. [7] is engraved as 'Proof'.
Robert Bowyer had been publishing plates illustrating the Holy Bible since 1791.
Provenance
Purchased in 1902 (see 'Librarian's Report', RA Annual Report for 1902, p. 36).
Binding Note
20th-century red cloth, upper cover carrying pasted-on cartouche from earlier binding, lettered 'Twelve Engravings Of Sacred Subjects From The Old Masters'; spine lettered 'Engravings Of Sacred Subjects', 'R.A.' and '1825'.
Bible
Christian art and symbolism
Paintings - Italy - Histoy - 16th century - 17th century
Paintings - Belgium - History - 17th century
Art history - Art criticism - Geat Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century