16th Century High Art Comics: Perspective

A short update on 16th century high art comics: Perspective 

The first example of practical perspective comes from Hireonymus Rodler...

Hieronymus Rodler (1531)

Auction House: Christies

Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000

2^o (320 x 214 mm). 46 leaves. Title printed in red and black with large woodcut illustration, 57 woodcuts and diagrams, some half-page, 21 full-page, 12 with red printed perspective lines under the black, large woodcut printer's device at end. Modern limp vellum, quarter vellum slipcase. Provenance: acquired from Bernard Quaritch, 1967.

Detailed view

FIRST EDITION. 

In his preface Rodler explains that he made his adaptation and simplification of the work of Dürer (Unterweysung der Messung, 1525, see lots 26 and 165), for the benefit of painters, sculptors, goldsmiths, embroiderers, masons and carpenters. The woodcut illustration on the title shows some of these craftsmen at work. 

It probably also depicts the patron of the press Duke Johann II at work. Johann II. von Simmern (1492-1557) Duke of Simmern installed a private press in his residence which produced a remarkable series of first eight editions including Rüxner's Thurnier-Buch (see lot 308). 

Rodler was one of the most celebrated publishers of illustrated books in Germany in the sixteenth century. He was the first to use the "Dürer" Fraktur as a text type. Adams R-652; Berlin Kat. 4682; Bonnemann Rodler 3; Brunet II:913; Fairfax Murray German 367; Muther 1784; Vagnetti EIIb10. Fact and Fantasy 26. 

Pfalzgraf und Herzog Johann II. von Simmern (1492-1557)

c. 1550

from The House of Palatinate-Simmern

The second piece on "social" perspective is coming up for auction at Christies next week is this magnificently printed and illustrated German woodcut book, describing tournaments and festivities. 

Georg Rüxner (1530)

Auction House: Christies

Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000

THE FAIRFAX MURRAY COPY OF THE SECOND EDITION, printed by the same printer and using the same cuts as the 1530 first edition. 

The 36 tournaments held in different German cities are described in the order of the events: arrival, festivities, tournament, celebration of the victor, departure from the town etc. The coats-of-arms are those of the victors of the tournaments and those of the towns where the tournaments were held. 

The woodcuts are by "HH" who illustrated another work for Rodler in 1531 generally attributed to the Master H.H., who was identified by Bonnemann as Hans von Hunsrück, i.e. Johann II von Simmern, the Duke of Simmern who financed the publication of Rüxner's book at his private press. 

The folding plate between folios 33 and 34 depicts the first tournament where several knights jousted in lists.