Iconographie Ou Vies Des Hommes Illustres Du XVII. Siecle Écrites Par M. V**. Avec Les Portraits Peints Par Le Fameux Antoine Van Dyck Et Gravées Sous Sa Direction Tome Premier Contenant Les Vies Des Princes, Ducs, Comtes, Generaux, &c. (Tome Second. Contenant Les Vies Des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs, Architectes Et Autres Artistes.)
RA Collection: Book
Record number
03/2910
Imprint
A Amsterdam & A Leipzig,: Chez Arkstée & Merkus., MDCCLIX.
Physical Description
2 vols. in 1; 405 mm. (Folio).
General Note
Vol. I: [2], ii, [2], 106, [2] p., [55] pl. (5 dble). The last, unnumbered page is referred to as page 108 in the Table Des Portraits. The double, folding pl. are nos. [5, 6, 10, 13, 32]. - Vol. II: [2], 130, [2] p., [70] pl. The last, unnumbered page is referred to as page 132 in the Tables Des Portraits.
Contents
Vol. I: [T.p.] - Preface - Table Des Portraits Contenus Dans Le Premier Volume. - Table Des Portraits Contenus Dans Le Second Volume; Avis Aux Relieurs - [Plates, with descriptive text]. - Vol. II: [T.p.] - [Plates, with descriptive text].
Responsibility Note
All the plates are signed as painted by Antony Van Dyck except Vol. I. pl. [54, 55], which are unsigned by a source-artist or draughtsman, Vol. I pl. [5], which is signed as painted by Petre Paul Rubens, and Vol. I. pl. [32], which is signed as painted by Lucas François Mechlinensis. Vol. I. pl. [46] and Vol. II pl. [4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 36, 42, 44, 53, 57] are signed as etched by Antony Van Dyck; in the case of plates [5] and [17] these etchings are followed by plates of the same subject signed as painted by Van Dyck and engraved by another (Pet. de Jode, Voesterman). In Volume II plate [14] is signed as etched by Van Dyck and engraved by Iac Neeffs, and plate [32] is signed as etched by Van Dyck and engraved by S. à Bolswert. Almost all plates are signed by their engravers - Paul Pontius, Vorsterman, Adrian Lommelin, Petrus Rucholle, Robertus van Voerst, Pet. de Ioden, S. a Bolswert, W. Hollar, Pet. van Lisebetius, Nicola. Lauwers, Coenradus Waumans, Pet. van Schuppen, Iacobus Neeffs, Wilhelm Iac. Delphinus, L. Voestermans, Gullielmus Hondius, Petrus Clouet. Several carry also the names of their printers - Gillis Hendricx, Jacobus de Man, C. vander Stock, Aegidius Hendricx. Occasionally the name of a printer has been deleted. Neither of the two title-page vignettes is signed.
References
C. Depauw and G. Luijten, Anthony van Dyck as a printmaker [exhibition catalogue] (1999); M. Mauquoy-Hendrickx, L'Iconographie d'Antoine can Dyck: catalogue raisonné, 2 v. (rev. ed., 1991); Antoon van Dyck et son 'Iconographie' [exhibition catalogue] (1981); Van Dyck's 'Iconography' [exhibition catalogue] (1980); H. Vey, Die Zeichnungen Anton van Dycks (1962).
Summary Note
The dates of 1646 and 1654 are found on plates [21] and [35] of Volume I.
Most of the copper-plates were bought in the 19th century by the Louvre Chalcographic department.
Provenance
Given to Sir William Chambers (during his visit to Paris in May 1774) by J. D. Leroy in partial settlement of a debt. Purchased from Chambers for the RA Library (together with a copy of Teniers' Galerie) for £5 7s. Purchased by 1780.
Binding Note
18th-century mottled calf, upper cover having royal arms of Britain and 'R.A.' gilt-stamped; rebacked in 20th century, retaining earlier red morocco spine-label lettered 'Hommes Illustres Du XVII Siecle Par Van Dyck'.
Europe - Kings and rulers - Artists - Celebrities - History - 17th century
Paintings - Portraits - Portrait painting - Europe - 17th century
Biography - Reference books - Netherlands - Germany - 18th century
Pictorial works - Netherlands - Germany - 18th century
Armorial bindings - Great Britain - 18th century