Additional information
| Artist | Durer, Ottley |
|---|---|
| Category | books |
| Nationality | British, German |
ArtistOttley, William
Artist Years1771-1836
Artist NationalityBritish, German
TitleAn Inquiry into the Origin and Early History of Engraving
Year1816
MediumBooks
DimensionsQuarto: 12 X 8 inches
Description
Two (2) volume set containing four (4) original woodcuts by Albrecht Durer’s Small Passion series of 1512. Published in London, 1816. The four original woodcuts, in Volume 2, were pulled from the original blocks in the British Museum.
Accession NumberRC517
NotesThe original Durer block from which this impression was made was from the collection of P. E. Boissier, Esq. (the block is now in the British Museum).
In Ottley's own words:
"I have had occasion to observe, in an early part of this work, that a large number of the original engraved blocks of Albert Durer are still in existence, and, amongst the rest, several of those of the above series. But I was not aware, when I made that statement, that I should be now enabled, through the liberal kindness of P. E. Boissier, Esq., the possessor of these inestimable monuments of the genius and industry of that great Artist, to present the reader with the accompanying specimens, printed from the blocks themselves. Mr. Boissier, I understand, possesses nearly the complete set of these blocks, which were purchased by him some years ago, during a stay at Naples. Those who are conversant with ancient engravings in wood, will perhaps agree with me, that the blocks in question were never so well printed as upon the present occasion, since the time of Durer himself."