1 - Aesop

Aesop Verdizotti, Giovanni Mario Collection of 86 (out of a total of 101 published) woodcuts from "Cento favole morali," 16th century. Mounted on 43 leaves. (Slightly late.) Paperback (slightly stained). Extensive collection of illustrations for Aesop’s fables. — Brunet V, 1131. — Cf. Fabula docet 60 — Giovanni Mario Verdizotti (1525–1600) was a student and confidant of Titian. For his edition, he took as his model Gabriello Faerno’s Latin verse fables, published in 1563, about two-thirds of which are included in his collection. In his full-page woodcuts, Verdizotti often had the actual plot of the fable recede into the background behind a detailed landscape depiction and rendered the illustrations in a “painterly” style. Whether Titian was involved in the creation of the illustrations—for example, by providing preliminary sketches—cannot be determined with certainty (see Fabula docet).—The woodcuts are in places slightly stained or somewhat browned. An extensive collection of illustrations for Aesop’s fables. Brunet V, 1131. Cf. Fabula docet 60. Giovanni Mario Verdizotti (1525–1600) was a pupil and confidant of Titian. For his edition, he took as his model Gabriello Faerno’s Latin verse fables published in 1563, about two-thirds of which were incorporated into his collection. In his full-page woodcuts, Verdizotti often placed the actual action of the fable in the background behind an elaborate depiction of the landscape, giving the illustrations a distinctly “painterly” character. Whether Titian played a role in the creation of the illustrations—for example, by providing preparatory drawings—cannot be established with certainty (see *Fabula docet*). The woodcuts are in some cases slightly stained or somewhat browned.