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Bibliotheca Thysiana prints collection

 Collection
Identifier: ubl216

Scope and Contents

The two albums from which the prints originate were labelled ‘Printeboeck van Stradanus & andere’ [Album of prints by Stradanus and others] and ‘Snaeckeryen van brugel en andere’ [Facetious prints by Bruegel and others] in Thysius’ account books. Both contain mostly reproductive prints from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The artist named in the titles are prominently represented with outstanding impressions. Many prints were published by the Antwerp firm of Hieronymus Cock. They include works by and after Maarten van Heemskerck, Maerten de Vos, Jheronimus Bosch, Johannes Stradanus, the Sadeler, the Galle and the Collaert families, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Karel van Mander and many others. Among the prints the number of hunting scenes (by Stradanus) and satirical genre scenes stand out.

Dates

  • Creation: 1550-1650

Conditions Governing Use

Regulations that apply during the use of these materials can be found on the website of Leiden University Library.

Biographical / Historical

Johannes Thysius was a book collector who died at a young age, leaving behind not only his collection of approximately 2000 books but also a considerable sum of money to be used for the building of a library. This was opened at the Rapenburg in Leiden in 1655.

Extent

600 prints (circa) of Netherlandish, Dutch, French and German origin.

Language of Materials

Undetermined

Abstract in Dutch

Collectie prenten in bruikleen van de Bibliotheca Thysiana te Leiden.

Abstract in English

Collection of prints on loan from the Bibliotheca Thysiana in Leiden.

Physical Location

Leiden University Library, Special Collections

Other Finding Aids

All the prints can be found in the catalogue. However, they are not yet recognizable as originating from the Bibliotheca Thysiana. Adjustments will be made shortly. The prints are also described in Schaeps 1994.

Custodial History

The albums with prints were acquired by Johannes Thysius in 1649. Some prints must have been added by him at a later date.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Given on loan to the Print Room in 1971.

Accruals

No future additions are to be expected.

Related Materials

The other collections of the Bibliotheca Thysiana are described separately: archive, books and pamphlets.

Separated Materials

The Bibliotheca Thysiana contains a number of albums with prints, some of them bound together, as in the album with the biblical prints by Pieter van der Borcht, which has been on loan to the Print Room as well but was returned to the Bibliotheca Thysiana, and others with mounted prints.

Bibliography

  • Schaeps, J., Prenten uit de Bibliotheca Thysiana, in: Het Leidse Prentenkabinet (Leids Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek 9) 1994, pp. 247-310.

General

The prints can be requested via the catalogue. They can be studied in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Processing Information

All the prints have been described in the catalogue.

Title
Collection guide of the Bibliotheca Thysiana prints collection (1550-1650)
Subtitle
Collectie prenten van de Bibliotheca Thysiana
Author
Jef Schaeps, 2013
Date
2014
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Beschrijving is in het Engels.

Revision Statements

  • 7 March 2014: latest update

Repository Details

Part of the Leiden University Libraries Archives & Collections Repository

Contact:
Witte Singel 27
Leiden 2311 BG Netherlands
+31 71 527 2857