Novocomensis Vitae Duodecium....

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Novocomensis Vitae Duodecium....

Artist Paulus Jovius

Printer Robert Estienne (French, 1503 - 1559)

Place of OriginParis

Date1549

MediumPrinted book, woodcut illustrations.

ClassificationBooks

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1952.68

Not on View

Label TextFour generations of the Estienne family produced the most notable printers in France during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Robert Estienne, second in the dynastic line, was a distinguished scholar-printer. The Estienne press (which had as its device a philosopher under the tree of knowledge), under Robert's direction, published about 450 books, probably using six presses and about 50 employees. Its production of Latin and Greek classics, dictionaries, thesauri, grammars, etc. for students and for the educated public, were printed in all sizes - from small vest-pocket editions to the more usual octavos, with a substantial percentage of quartos and massive folios. The straightforward, unself-conscious workmanship makes it clear that these books were made to be read - not cherished as "collector's items"Published ReferencesMurray, C. F., Catalog of Early French Books, London, 1910, I, pl 95. Bernard, Auguste: Geoffroy Tory, Boston, 1909, p. 222, 301-302.Exhibition HistoryNew York, Metropolitan Museum, The Arts of the Book, 1924. Treasured Books Exhibitions 1/4/90 - 6/11/90