Descripción
Lyon: Chez Pierre Guillimin, M.DC.LXXIX [1679]. 8vo (150 x 80mm). 428pp., [43]. Full page engraved frontispiece depicting a worshipper at the foot of the cross, laden with Passion instruments (crown of thorns, sponge on reed, withes, ladder, spear, pillar), with caption, "Les souffrances & la mort D un DIEV pour nous Nôtre Continuelle. Meditation." (The suffering and death of God for us is our continual meditation). Woodcut device of heraldic shield and cardinal s hat with tassels on title. Woodcut chapter head vignettes and tailpieces (one repeating of Evangelist John on isle of Patmos and another of Veronica s veil) and woodcut historiated initials, mostly birds, throughout. Dedicated to "L Âme Chrétienne." (The Christian Soul). Italic and Roman type. Contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt in compartments; (joints splitting, light edgewear; margins trimmed close affecting few engravings). Front pastedown with book label of Justin Godart (1871-1956), a French politician and bibliophile of Lyon. Godart s personal library stamp is also on title with the Lyonnais lion. Internet records show that the library of Justin Godart was sold at auction in Paris by Hôtel Drouot in 1957. Importantly, this book remained part of the local fabric of the French city from its publication to over 275 years. Stated seventh edition of this devotional text on the Passion of Christ printed by a public brotherhood of Catholics, although no other editions located. It is a highly uncommon pocket prayer book with little traceable history, save the fact that this same 1679 edition appeared in an auction by Techener in 1861. Another "Meditations" publication by the same society appears 39 years later as the "Nouvelle édition" (Chez Barthelemy Martin, 1718) now held in the Public Library of Lyon. This elusive and largely anonymous French Catholic confraternity (probably a local chapter of Lyon) likely had various periods of flourishing and disbands or did not make large print-runs of their books, possibly explaining the scarcity. The aim of this brotherhood s untitled publication was to disseminate widely the prayers and reflections to be offered daily (first day of the month, second day, etc.) for the suffering of Christ. By publishing a text like this the brothers would in effect be gathering lower orders to participate in penitential exercises, which is in itself an act of devotion and which would win them indulgences. In total, there are 41 copperplate engravings attributed to François Houat, who came from a family of printers and engravers in Northern France. These engravings are exceptional for their dramatic shadows and perspectives. As well, the Guillimin publishers were known for their Catholic devotional imprints. For 31 days, a full-page copperplate engraved scene of Christ s Passion (with captions) precedes each daily reflection. The daily meditations build up chronologically ending with Christ s death on the cross. Full-page engravings are also for Litany of the Passion, Litany to the Infant Christ, Nativity, Lent (repeating frontispiece), Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, the Blessed Sacrament, and the emblemata of the brotherhood (skull, instruments of Passion, candle, and hourglass). French penitent confraternities survived during the early modern centuries as they underwent several transformations which made them more reflective of French, as opposed to Italian, devotional sensibilities. They enjoyed prestige and spiritual currency in Catholic society right up the Revolution. N° de ref. del artículo D11030
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