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XV Metamorphoseon librorum figurae elegantissime

Author: Ovid (43 B.C.–17 or 18 A.D.)
Engraved by: Crispin van de Passe, Sr. (Netherlandish, 1564–1637)
After: Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617)
After: Marten de Vos (Netherlandish, 1532–1603)
Printer: Jan Jansen (Netherlandish, died in 1630)
1607
Place of Publication: Arnhem, Netherlands

Medium/Technique Illustrated book with engraved title and 134 engravings
Dimensions Overall: 19.5 x 15.9 x 2.9 cm (7 11/16 x 6 1/4 x 1 1/8 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Vershbow
Accession Number1981.700
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Arnhem: Jan Jansen, 1607

Catalogue Raisonné Brunet IV, 414; Franken 1338; Wurzbach II, 306(107); Hollstein, Dutch and Flemish, XV, p. 287, no. 852; Henkel, pp. 117-18
Description(Arnhem: Jan Jansen, 1607) Quarto; 136 leaves; modern gilt-stamped brown morocco binding

Illustrations of scenes from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The first edition of this text with de Passe's engravings appeared in 1602; the second edition, by Jansen, came out in 1607. The title page as cited in Hollstein does not agree with the MFA copy; however, the Getty Center copy does. It is possible that this is a still later edition. Several plates are inscribed as after designs by de Vos; Hollstein states that some are also copied from Goltzius. De Passe has indicated himself as "inventor" of several plates. The drawings for the plates are at Windsor Castle (see Puyvelde catalogue, pp. 17-22). Puyvelde quotes from the introduction to the 1602 edition to the effect that this "book is for young people and contains examples of bold and unfortunate love." The letterpress text is printed in Latin and German underneath each plate; the German is credited on the title to Wilhelm Salsmann.
ProvenanceJames Ford (inscription on former pastedown); Beverly Chew (plate); Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Vershbow, by whom given to MFA, December 1971.