The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Several Nations of the Known World

(PICART, BERNARD).

London

1731-1737

Six volumes. With hundreds of engraved plates, most with multiple subjects, some double-page or folding. Text in English. Two additional plates of the Jews in Vol. VI with wider margins

Rubens 438-57

One of the most striking illustrated books of the 18th century. “Bernard Picart was the outstanding professional illustrator of the first third of the eighteenth century, an age during which the designs for the finest illustrated books were typically drawn by leading painters. He worked for the most part in the fading baroque tradition, but there are elements in his immense production which herald the new age.” G.N. Ray, Art of the French Illustrated Book (1986), p.7. An invaluable pictorial record of Jewish life in 18th century Holland