Ehrenpforte. Arc Triomphal De L'Empereur Maximilien I. Gravé En Bois D'Après Les Dessins D'Albert Durer.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
05/1345
Variant Title
Arc Triomphal De L'Empereur Maximilien I
Imprint
À Vienne: Chez T. Mollo Et Comp. Marchands D'Estampes. De L'Imprimerie De La Veuve Alberti., 1799.
Physical Description
[3] f., 53 [i.e. 43], [3] pl.: [1] diagram;692 mm.
General Note
The pairs of prints numbered 27/28, 29/30, 37/38, 39/40, 41/42 and 45/46 are each printed on one sheet; the six prints numbered 49-53 are printed on one sheet. The additional three leaves of plates carry prints lettered [1] A-F, H, N, P. Q, R. T, V; [2] G, K, O; [3] L, M, S.
Contents
[T.p.] - Avertissement - Avis Au Relieur - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
The 'Avertissement' states that the majority of the original wood-engravings were made by Jerome Resch.
The last two plates in the book are signed 'A. Bartsch imit.' - the last one carrying the date 1798.
References
T.U. Schauerte, Die Ehrenpforte für Kaiser Maximilian I: Dürer und Altdorfer im Dienste des Herrschers (2002).
On Bartsch see W. Koschatzky, 'Adam von Bartsch: an introduction to his life and work', in The illustrated Bartsch, ed. W. Strauss, v.I (1978), p. vii-xvii.
Summary Note
This publication was part of Adam von Bartsch's project to reprint recently rediscovered woodblocks commissioned by the emperor Maximilian I to celebrate the achievements of his reign. The original work was designed by Dürer and cut by members of his workshop in 1517-8. The iconographic programme of the arch was devised by Johannes Stabius; and contributions to the design were made by Jörg Kölderer, Hans Springinklee and Albrecht Altdorfer. This edition is printed from the 74 woodcut blocks (of a total of 92) that then survived, but have since been lost. Etchings were substituted for the 18 missing blocks. The 'Avis Au Relieur' includes a diagram showing how the plates could be assembled to take the form of an 'Arc Triomphal'.
Plates 1-5 reproduce text, in black-letter type, and most other plates include some text or captions.
Provenance
Purchased for RA Library in 1881 (see RA Annual Report for 1881, p. 47).
Binding Note
19th-century half green morocco, green cloth-covered boards; spine lettered, 'Arc Triomphal De Maximilien I.'