6517 - Chodowiecki, Daniel Nikolaus

Chodowiecki, Daniel Nikolaus Twelve Sheets on the History of Humanity According to Its Cultural Conditions. Etching with 12 illustrations on handmade paper. Each approx. 9 x 5.1 cm (illustrations); 21.9 x 40 cm (plate margin). (1783). Engelmann 517 I (of II). Inscribed. The illustrations served as accompaniment to a teleological essay on the cultural-historical development of humanity in twelve stages, published in the Gotha Almanac for the year 1784. Entirely in the spirit of the Enlightenment, humanity moves in a straight line and purposefully from a primitive state of nature toward moral perfection, reason, and high culture. However, the last two stages also serve as a cautionary illustration of decline. The complete series in an absolutely superb, nuanced early print, preceding the text on the uncut sheet. With a slight edge roll around the facette. Minimal dust and staining, isolated creases in the margins, a diagonal fold in the lower right corner, the upper left corner showing a slight fold due to mounting; otherwise in beautiful and wonderfully original condition. - Please ask for condition reports for individual 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.