Royaumont/Le Maîstre de Sacy - L’Histoire du vieux et du nouveau Testament - 1674

This richly illustrated edition (268 engravings) of 1674 of The History of the Old and the New Testament by the Sieur de Royaumont testifies to the diffusion of the great tradition of classical biblical illustration in the 17th century.

ROYAVMONT (Sieur de) [LE MAISTRE DE SACY, Louis].
The History of the Old and the New Testament, represented with figures and edifying explanations, drawn from the Holy Fathers, to regulate morals in all kinds of conditions. Dedicated to His Highness the Dauphin. By the Sieur de Royavmont, Prior of Sombreval.
New edition.
In Paris, at Pierre le Petit, Printer and Ordinary Bookseller to the King, rue Saint Jacques, at the Cross of Gold, 1674.

1 volume in-4, bound, collated: [16] ff., 537 pages. Illustrated with a title engraved and 268 superb vignettes and engravings on copper in the text (depicting scenes from Genesis, the Old and the New Testament).

Ancient binding in full blond calf, spine with raised bands ornamented with compartments and gilded fleurons, red morocco title piece, speckled edges. Copy endowed with a fine old manuscript ex-libris on the title page (“ex libris Philibert de Billon”). Interior well preserved. Complete with its engravings.

This monumental work, originally conceived by the great Jansenist translator Louis Le Maistre de Sacy under the pseudonym of his nephew the Prior of Royaumont, enjoyed immense editorial success owing to the clarity of its prose and the artistic quality of its catechetical engravings intended for spiritual edification.

Commissioned in the Port-Royal era to educate the Grand Dauphin — son of Louis XIV — this book quickly established itself as the indispensable iconographic manual of biblical imagery for aristocratic libraries.