Johanna Sibylla Küsel-Kraus (ca. 1650–1717).

Sacrum Oculorum Et Animorum Oblectamentum oder Heilige Augen und Gemüths Lust.

[Augsburg, Johann Ulrich Kraus, ca. 1710].

8° (15,5 x 9 cm). 2 parts in 1 volume. [II], 234 pp. [lacks pp. 229-232 and two plates]. With 91 (of 93) etched and engraved plates.

Contemporary calf with two brass clasps.

               An extremely rare devotional emblem book illustrated by Johanna Sibylla Küsel-Kraus, of which we have traced only a single institutional copy of this edition, a very damaged two-volume example in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

The work is divided into two parts and contains 93 etched and engraved plates arranged according to the liturgical year, of which the second plate of each part bears the inscription “Johanna Sibijlla Krausen eine gebohrne Kuslen fecit.” The present copy lacks the antepenultimate and penultimate plates.

Intended to accompany the Gospel readings, Epistles, and Lessons for Sundays and feast days, the illustrations combine biblical narrative with allegorical interpretation and moral reflection. Most plates are divided into two scenes: a historical episode from Scripture in the upper compartment and an emblematic or theological counterpart below. Together with the accompanying Latin and German text, they form a carefully structured programme of meditation and devotion.

The publication appears to be related to a seemingly larger plate-only edition that is recorded in a couple German libraries. They share the same calligraphic title-page, but the present edition incorporates extensive accompanying text and was conceived as a complete devotional book rather than as an independent print series. The copy in Bayern lacks the title-page and was recorded with the title of the second part that spells Sacrorum instead of Sacrum.

Reference:

Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, BSB-ID 991099042399707356.

Plate-only edition: VD18 12461644.

Not in Hollstein.

Condition: Top and bottom of spine damaged. First ca. 30 pages somewhat musty. Slightly foxed throughout. Trimmed at the plate line or just slightly short in places.