Four Books on Human Proportion

DÜRER (ALBRECHT). Of Albrecht Dürer, the most famous painter and Geometer, on the Symmetry of parts in the right forms of human bodies, books translated into Latin original: "Alberti Dureri clarissimi pictoris et Geometrae de Sym(m)etria partium in rectis formis hu(m)anorum corporum libri in latinum conversi" (by Joachim Camerarius).

Folio 81b: This work was printed in Nuremberg in the summer of the year 1532 from the birth of Christ the Savior. In the house of Dürer’s widow. original: "Norimbergae excudebatur opus aestate Anni A Christo servatore genito M. D. xxxij. In aedib. viduae Durerianae."

Folio, Gothic typesA style of type modeled after medieval handwriting, common in early German printing., with Greek passages, (81) leaves, (1) blank leaf with signatureLetters and numbers at the bottom of pages used by binders to assemble the book in the correct order. ; xylographic monogramA woodblock print of the author's initials, in this case, Dürer’s famous "AD" logo. on title-page; 80 full-length woodcut human figures and numerous other diagrams; contemporary manuscript marginal note. Fine, large copy.

FIRST LATIN EDITION of parts 1 and 2 of Herein are contained four books on human proportion by A. D.... Nuremberg, 1528. original German title: "Herinn sind begriffen vier Bücher von menschlicher proportion"
Campbell-Dodgson, I, p. 265.

DÜRER (ALBRECHT). Two books by the most famous Painter and Geometer Albrecht Dürer on the variety of figures, the bending of parts, and the gestures of images, which are now added as a first Latin translation to the previously published books on symmetry. The year 1534. original: "Clariss. Pictoris et Geometrae Alberti Dureri de varietate figurarum et flexuris partium ac gestib. imaginum, libri duo, qui priorib. de symmetria quondam editis nunc primum in latinum conversi accesserunt. Anno M. D. XXXiiij."

Folio 59b: The work was finished in the year 1534 from the life-giving birth [of Christ], on the 9th day before the Kalends of DecemberFollowing the Roman calendar, this corresponds to November 23rd.. Published at the expense of Dürer’s widow by Hieronymus Formschneyder in Nuremberg. original: "Finitum opus Anno a salutifero partu. 1534. 9. Cal. Decemb. Impensis viduae Durerianae per Hieronymum Formschneyder Norimbergae."

Folio, Gothic types with Greek passages, (59) leaves, (1) blank leaf (cut away), with signatures ; folios, signatures a 2 and 3; l 5 and 6 and f 1 and 2 remain connected and folded together as extended plates; 60 full-length woodcut human figures, extended and other woodcut figures; a fine large copy in calf, gilt, interior gilt dentellesDecorative lace-like patterns pressed in gold leaf onto the inner edges of the book cover., gilt edgesThe edges of the pages have been smoothed and coated in gold leaf..

FIRST LATIN EDITION of parts 3 and 4 of the original German work.

Campbell Dodgson, volume 1, page 265: "A continuation of the last, being a translation of Books 3 & 4 of the original German edition, with the same cuts."

Frank-Choulant, History and Bibliography of Anatomic Illustration, page 145: "...These two volumes contain the complete translation of the original German edition, by Joachim Camerarius the elder.... the woodcuts are prints from the original blocks.... This work...is technically interesting because it contains the first attempts to represent shades and shadows in wood engraving by means of crosshatchingA technique using sets of parallel, intersecting lines to create the illusion of depth and shadow.."

Albrecht Dürer, painter and engraver, born Nuremberg, 1471; died 1528.