1587 – Images of the gods – Cartari | Famous Illustrated Mythology gods Survey

Vincenzo Cartari was a 16th-century mythology scholar most known for his work ‘Images of the gods’. This fascinating book was an impressive collection of descriptions of mythological gods. Cartari explains their forms and appearance as well as several of their important attributes. He wrote this book with the sole purpose of aiding sculptors and painters who were seeking guidelines of the physical appearances of the gods. He focused on their clothing, expressions, and poses in which they were most often presented.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Le imagini de i dei de gli antichi : nelle quali si contengono gl’Idoli, i riti, le ceremonie, & altre cose appartenenti ‘alla religioni de gli antichi
• Author(s): Vincenzo Cartari
• Publisher: Venetia: Francesco Ziletti
• Edition: 1587.
• Binding: Full vellum
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  8.5 in x 6 in (22 cm x 15 cm)
• Collation: [40], 460, [2] pp
• Illustrations: 87 full-page engravings
• Contents Include:
  • Descriptions of classical gods and deities
  • Iconography and symbolic attributes
  • Guidance for artistic representation
  • Mythological rites and ceremonies

Condition:

Good. Full vellum binding is tight and secure with light staining consistent with age. Title page is partially supplied in handwritten facsimile. Pages show age toning throughout. Text and engravings remain legible.

Why Collect This?

• Renaissance study of classical mythology
• Venetian printing from the late 16th century
• Includes 87 full-page engravings

Item Number: # 50467