Book/Printed Material Bizzarie di varie figure
About this Item
Title
- Bizzarie di varie figure
Summary
- Braccelli's Bizzarie di varie figure contains a suite of 50 etchings that celebrate the human figure in geometric forms. Squares, triangles, circles, and parallelograms take the place of muscle, bone, and tissue, defining the body in a new visual vocabulary. Braccelli's designs are unique in the history of book illustration. They represent a high point in the Mannerist style of etching that flourished in the 17th century. Mannerism incorporated the techniques of the Renaissance but rejected the classical imagery and harmonious style that is the hallmark of much 15th- and 16th-century European art. Braccelli's work had considerable influence on later generations of artists. His figures were adopted, for example, during the 20th century by the Surrealists, who lavished praise on his geometric forms and his ability to invest mechanical images with graceful, human qualities. Some of the etchings portray human emotion, as when figures dance across the page or struggle with one another in mortal combat. Braccelli's works are very rare. This copy from the Rosenwald Collection of the Library of Congress is the most complete copy known to exist. World Digital Library.
- It has been assumed that this volume comes from the library of Commendatore Ugo Ojetti of Florence, Italy. Of the nine copies known, this copy with 50 plates is the only complete copy known. The book was purchased from H. P. Kraus in 1957. Kraus purchased the volume from Carlo Chiesa, the noted bibliophile and bookseller from Milan, Italy. It is quite possible that the Ojetti copy passed through the hands of Chiesa before being sent to Kraus and then on to Rosenwald.
Names
- Braccelli, Giovanni Battista, active 1624-1649
- Medici, Piero de', 1416-1469, dedicatee
- Ojetti, Ugo, 1871-1946, former owner
- Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection (Library of Congress)
Created / Published
- [Livorno : s.n.], 1624.
Headings
- - Italy--Livorno
Notes
- - "All'ill[ustrissi]mo s[ignor] don Pietro Medici."
- - All 50 plates in P.&P. Div.
- - The 1st plate constitutes the t. p., the 2d bears the coat of arms of Pietro Medici to whom the work is dedicated.
- - Library of Congress. Lessing J. Rosenwald collection, 1345
- - LC copy probably from the library of Ugo Ojetti.
- - LAC knj 2019-09-25 update (1 card)
- - LAC ddw 2022-02-07 update (1 card)
Medium
- [50] leaves of plates : chiefly ill. ; 18 x 25 cm. (8vo)
Call Number/Physical Location
- NE662.B66 A43
Digital Id
Library of Congress Control Number
- 65059243
Online Format
- online text
- image
LCCN Permalink
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Format
Contributor
- Braccelli, Giovanni Battista
- Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection (Library of Congress)
- Medici, Piero De
- Ojetti, Ugo