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Message:: [QUOTE="Ex Libris, post: 10259828, member: 14916"]In February 2025, I acquired a beautifully illustrated Bible. Since it was printed in Antwerp, it fits perfectly within my collection of Antwerp imprints. What immediately caught my attention was its extensive illustration cycle, which led me to further investigate its origins, artists, and potential earlier editions. This 1714 Biblia Sacra is a reprint of the so-called Moerentorf Bible, a Catholic Bible that served as the standard for Roman Catholics in the Southern Netherlands and Flanders for centuries. Normally, editions of the Jouret Bible, to which this edition belongs, include only a frontispiece and no additional engravings. However, this particular copy is exceptional because it contains numerous engravings—mainly used in Protestant Bibles—raising questions about their origin and whether they were added later.[ATTACH=full]514094[/ATTACH] The Bible includes numerous engravings and maps by well-known artists, including: <ul> <li>Matthias Scheits (about 150 copper engravings)</li> </ul>Descriptions in English, French and Dutch. [ATTACH=full]514098[/ATTACH] <ul> <li>Jacob Folkema (11 copper engravings) after famous works</li> </ul>Descriptions in French [ATTACH=full]514100[/ATTACH] <ul> <li>Gaspar Huberti (3 copper engravings) after famous works (Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Eyck)</li> </ul>Descriptions in Latin[ATTACH=full]514099[/ATTACH] These engravings illustrate both the Old and New Testaments and stylistically resemble Protestant Bible illustrations from the Dutch Republic. This makes this edition particularly fascinating as it showcases how different religious traditions influenced book illustration. The book contains a set of standard maps commonly included in Bibles from the late 16th century onwards: <ol> <li>World Map (Totius Orbis Terrarum) – placed before Genesis, referencing the Creation. [ATTACH=full]514095[/ATTACH] </li> <li>Paradise and Canaan Map (Descriptio paradisi et Terrae Canaan) – placed at the end of Genesis 2. </li> <li>Plan of Jerusalem (Vera Hierosolymae Veteris Imago) – found at the beginning of Nehemiah. </li> <li>Holy Land at the Time of Jesus (Terra Sanctae) – positioned before the Gospel of Matthew.</li> </ol>The illustrations share similarities with other 17th and early 18th-century works, including: <ul> <li>The Sternsche Bible (1672)</li> <li>Other books featuring engravings from Matthias Scheits and François Halma</li> <li>Bibles using similar folding maps, such as those by Moxon, Bonfrerio, and Sanson</li> </ul>This edition of the Biblia Sacra (1714) provides an intriguing insight into early 18th-century Bible production, particularly the interplay between Catholic and Protestant illustration traditions. The mix of engravings suggests either a unique printing decision or a later customization by an early owner. Further research into comparable works will help clarify its place within the broader history of biblical printing. If anyone has seen similar editions or has additional information, I would love to hear your insights! Mattias Scheits engravings with their original designs [ATTACH=full]514091[/ATTACH] Huberti engravings with their inspiration [ATTACH=full]514093[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]514092[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

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