5138 - Küsel, Melchior

Küsel, Melchior and Matthäus Küsel (1629–1681, Augsburg). “Cenotaphium Piis Manibus Ferdinandi III ...” (Book of Requiem for Emperor Ferdinand III). 48 etchings, including the title page. Approx. 16.5 x 14 cm and 16.5 x 11.1 cm each. 1657. Berlin Ornamental Engraving Catalog 3105, M. Praz, *Studies in Seventeenth-Century Imagery*, Rome 1964, pp. 548 ff., Augsburg Baroque Catalog, no. 602, Hollstein (Matthäus) 22–70, Hollstein (Melchior) 97–145. The complete suite (which Hollstein likely erroneously lists as having two additional sheets) from the book of funeral rites prepared for the memorial service in June 1657 depicts the ornamentation of the tomb erected in honor of Ferdinand III of Austria at the Jesuit College in Vienna. The series comprises 12 allegorical statues of the virtues with accompanying Latin and German text on pedestals, as well as 35 emblems held by a pair of eagles, each consecutively numbered. The series is exceptionally rare and represents a high point of Baroque emblematics. In addition to its conceptual design—which exhaustively exploits the interplay of word and image in magnificent abundance—its artistic and creative quality deserves special mention. The richly varied, never-repeating design of the emblems gives expression to a surprising, ever-changing vanitas symbolism that demonstrates with relentless, striking clarity that even the ruler’s worldly power is subject to the authority of death. All prints are excellent to magnificent, some deep black and precise, with margins that are in some cases very narrow. Occasionally with old binding marks on the left margin, along with other, partly insignificant marginal fading; otherwise, apart from isolated, minimal signs of age and wear, in uniform and excellent condition. - Please ask for condition reports for the lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.