Christianæ Pietatis Idea In VII: operibus Misericordiæ corporalis spectanda & legenda proposita.
Augsburg, [Sara Mang (widow of C. Mang)] 1622.
8vo (154 x 91 mm.). 152p. EIGHT FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS, engraved architectural title with a Christogram, personifications of Faith and Hope, angels, putti, birds, fruit, foliage and flowers.
Gilt-ruled crushed red morocco (Capé), spine gilt and gilt-lettered, all edges gilt, particolored silk marker.
Only Edition of this meditation on the Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy — feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, ransoming the captive, visiting the sick, sheltering the homeless and burying the dead. Loosely described as emblems, each of the first seven engravings illustrates one of these acts. A cut of the Last Judgment closes the cycle.
Throughout, Stengel demonstrates his deep familiarity with the Bible, the Church Fathers and ancient Greek and Latin writers. He provides hundreds of examples of faithful practice and faithless negligence, and frequently cites the Iliad, Odyssey and Aeneid, concerning laying the dead to rest. Three copies in U.S. libraries. In good condition (two blank marginal paper flaws). The title inscription records that STENGEL OFFERED THIS COPY TO AUGSBURG PATRICIAN AND CITY COUNCILOR JOHANN HEINRICH REHLINGER VON RADAU (d. 1625); bookplate of E. Délicourt.
¶Sayles, “Chronological List of Emblem Books” in Studies in Seventeenth-Century Imagery II: 66; Praz, Studies in Seventeenth-Century Imagery 503; VD17 384:717232B.
Price: $2,800.00
Status: On Hold