1551 Bible with many Woodcuts by Old Master Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543) which are also found in the famous Icones Historiarum Veteris Testamenti.

Title

Biblia sacrosancta, Veteris & Noui Testamenti, iuxta Diui Hieronymi vulgatam editionem ... [Livre : ]his accesserunt Tabernaculi Mosaici, ac rerum praecipuarum schemata, summa industria et fide expressa.

Rare Bible, with approximately 2 Library copies found worldwide. Rarity in part to its listing on the Roman Inquisition's "Index of Forbidden Books".

Lugduni, Apud Ioannem Frellonium

Over 100 Woodcuts, Many are crafted by Hans Holbein the Younger. These Holbein woodcuts can also be found in the Icones Historiarum Veteris Testamenti.

Title page with device of the Frellon Brothers which is a crab and a butterfly with the motto "Matura". Possesion note dated 1734 on inside of front board. Title page laid down on backing with loss to original upper right and lower right corners. Numerous historiated and decorated initials of various sizes, some very large, many with putti and children which are very likely also Holbein's design.

Frellons colophon reads "LVGDVNI, Excudebat Ioannes Frellonius M.D.L.I" Includes Indexes at the end of the volume. Loss to a corner in Gospel of Mathew with some text loss. Half page missing in Ezra. Some damp staining, minor worm holes, and some general repairs yet no significant effect to text. Very good margins with no text loss. Slightly more significant damp staining from Gospel of John through Revelations yet text is completely legible. Likely early 18th century leather binding with embossed decorative medallions along spine. Corners and spine worn in spots but nonetheless strong with tight boards.

German Old Master painter and printmaker Hans Holbein the Younger, considered one of the finest portrait painters of not only the Northern Renaissance but in art history in general, moved to Basel, Switzerland in 1515 after learning to paint from, and working with, his father. Basel, which borders both France and Germany, was a center for the humanist and Lutheran movements. There Holbein met and associated with the famous Dutch humanist Erasmus. Holbein's Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1523 can be found in the National Gallery, London.

Referred by Erasmus, in 1526 Holbein went to England where he worked in great part within its humanist circle with the help of leading Renaissance humanist, and author of Utopia, Sir Thomas More. Holbein's portrait of Sir Thomas More can be found in the Frick Collection, NY.

In 1528 Holbein returns to Basel, which at this point has been fully absorbed in iconoclasitc Reformation philosophy, and maneuvers his way into a steady stream of work until his return to England in 1532. In England Holbein aligned himself with Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn while also actively painting portraits for wealthy merchants, families, and foreigners. In 1536 Holbein became King Henry VIII's King's Painter. Holbein would proceed to paint the most famous and iconic portraits of the king ever known. Keyword: manuscript