Nederlandsche Houtsneden 1500-1550. Reproducties van oude Noord- en Zuid Nederlandsche houtsneden op losse bladen met en zonder tekst in de oorspronkelijke grootte by Nijhoff, Wouter & Max Henkel (eds.)

A monumental work on Dutch and Flemish woodcuts from the first half of the 16th century, in 4 volumes, comprised of 2 volumes of text describing the content and context of each of the plates (175 pp. total, continuously paginated), together with 2 large portfolios housing a total of 402 (out of 414) plates, the first portfolio with 12 pp. of text comprising a list of plates preceding approximately 300 large single-page plates, the second portfolio housing approximately 102 oversized double-page plates. Overall very fine condition, a few plates with some significant foxing, particularly 27, 28, 38-42, and 54-57. Two text volumes 4to., first portfolio folio (approx. 54 x 42 cm), second portfolio large folio (approx. 67 x 55 cm). Two text volumes original wrpps., first portfolio a fitted cardboard box-form portfolio, second portfolio original publisher's boards portfolio. Some toning, minor soiling, scattered abrasions, overall very good. 's-Gravenhage, Netherlands (Martinus Nijhoff) 1931-1939. Some of the artists whose work is included in these portfolios are Cornelis Anthonisz, Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen, Lucas van Leyden, Peter Coecke van Aelst, Jan Mabuse, Robert Peril, Jan Swart, and Dirck Vellert, whose woodcuts are featured alongside numerous ones by unknown artists. The impressive wealth of images include depictions of religious, allegorical, and satirical subjects, along with portraits, topographical views, and landscapes. This monumental set is complete except for the first 6 double-page plates, corresponding to nos. 1-12 in the list of plates, which depict views of Antwerp by an unknown artist. Nearly complete and scarce institutionally, this set is an important documentary work on the Dutch woodcut in the early 16th century.