Sereniss[imi] Ferdinandi archiducis Austriae, ducis Burgundiae comitis Tirolis et.c. pictoris aulici ad invictiss[imum] caesarem Maximilianum II [...] Austriacae gentis imaginum pars prima [- quinta] [...] Io[hannis] Marii Verdizoti encomium picturae [...].

5 parts in 1 vol., folio (54 x 41,5 cm); 73 pl. [incl. 5 engr. titles] (some ff. dampstained, minor soiling, some tears and margins repaired; wormhole in blank margin of the last ff.).

Contemp. calf, covers ruled with 4 blind roll-stamped borders with later central and corner ornaments (18th c.?) painted black, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands and label, red edges (used, rebacked?, edges reinforced with shagreen, turn-ins missing).

Sumptuous series of 73 portraits of members of the Austrian House of Habsburg, by the Italian Mannerist painter Terzio (c. 1523-1591) and finely engr. by Gaspare Oselli (1536-1590). Full-length portraits depicted within an architectural setting composed of a pedestal, engaged columns and a large entablature; most of the pl. feature one person, some two. In 5 parts: 1. 15 portraits of Holy Roman Emperors, from the dedicatee Maximilian II (1527-1576) to the founder of the dynasty Rudolf of Habsburg (1218-1291); 2. 20 portraits: Ferdinand II (1529-1595), Archduke of Austria, and early members of the Habsburg family; 3. 6 portraits: Charles II, Archduke of Austria (1540-1590), and Merovingian Kings; 4. 6 portraits: Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) and relatives, even Godfrey of Bouillon (d. 1100); 5: 26 portraits: Maria of Austria (1528-1603), Holy Roman Empress, and Habsburg queens. The first ed. of the "Austriacae gentis imagines" begun in 1558 and was published from 1568 onwards. Complete copies of this book are rare on the auction market.
Ref. VD16 ZV-14893. - BnF. - USTC 658132 (ed. of 1558). - STC German 853. - Not in Adams.