Perspectiva hierinnen auffs kürtzte beschrieben mit exempeln er'et.
Small folio [29 x 19.5 cm], (6) ff., 29 ff., 1 blank, including woodcut title, 10 woodcuts in text, and with 1 double-page folding woodcut plate outside collation (between xxv-xxvi). Bound in reverse calf. Ownership inscription of H.G.V. Werdenstein stenciled at bottom of title; verso of xxiii slightly shaved just grazing image; minor repair to blank area of folding plate; slight discoloration at gutter of lvs. xxvii-xxix just touching text block; overall toning & minor soiling on title and scattered leaves, but generally very good. Very rare first edition of this illustrated perspective compendium, in the Nuremberg tradition of Kunstbuchleinen, which included such artists and goldsmiths as Stoer, Hirschvogel and Jamnitzer. The work follows and forms the technical counterpart to Lencker's playful Perspectiva Literaria (1567), describing a drawing instrument of the author's invention (pictured in the first plate). The numerous woodcuts show working diagrams and perspective representations of stereometric bodies-mostly elaborate variations on regular and semi-regular solids-, and all matched to succinct text. "These model books, issued by professionals for fellow painters, architects, goldsmiths, carpenters, etc., were in constant use and soon worn out [which is] why very few copies have survived." - Hagelin, Art of Writing & Drawing, p. 133. The work has a brilliant mannerist title with the wooden or cardboard models of geometric solids called 'Bossen', a characteristic feature of Nuremberg perspective drawing. Lencker (d. 1585) was, after Jamnitzer, the outstanding goldsmith and perspectivist of his day in the mannerist tradition, and the present work earned him a post as perspective instructor to Christian I of Dresden. NUC records 4 copies: Michigan, Wisconsin, Newberry & Boston.
* Berlin Kat. 4696; Vagnetti EIIb27 & Il Processo di maturazione di una scienza (Florence 1979); Honeyman 1985; Kemp, Science of Art, pp. 62-3.
Price: $12,500.00