Wenzel Joseph Mayer (1734-1800)

HISTORISCHE BESCHREIBUNG

1797
Historische Beschreibung der vom Anton Maulbertsch... am Bibliothekgewölbe der königlichen Prämonstratenserordens-Kanonie am Berge Sion zu Prag, im Jahre 1794, in einem zusammenhangenden Platfond in Fresko dargestellten Kalkmahlerey... Prag, mit Schriften der Wittwe Mühlhausen, durch Anton Pezold, Faktor. 1797. Format 4°, 26x20.5 cm. Full leather binding with gilt ornament on the spine. Title page printed in black, marked with an illegible stamp. Copper engraving depicting the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Monastery library, including the newly completed fresco. Preface of 12 pages, a copper engraving with dedication, 26 numbered pages. In German. The book serves as a textual explanation of the extensive ceiling fresco "The Spiritual Development of Mankind," completed in 1794 by Franz Anton Maulbertsch in the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Library. In the text, the author systematically explains the individual biblical, historical, and allegorical figures depicted in the painting. The graphic decoration was created by the Prague engraver Jan Berka. Rubbed binding, book block in good condition, paper foxed in places. Provenance: the collection of Jiří Kačer