MOLÉ (Guillaume). Historical and critical observations... Lot 47

[MOLÉ (Guillaume). Historical and critical observations on the errors of the painters, sculptors and draughtsmen, in the representation of the subjects drawn from the Holy History, or the sacred paintings considered relatively to the dogmas, the facts and the costume [...]. Paris, Debure Pere, 1771, 2 vols. in-12, [4]-396-[4]-5-1 blank p. and [4]-432 p., full brown speckled calf of the period, spine with ornamented nerves, title and giblets (qq. minor traces of wear, 1 small hole in the bottom of the spine of the 2nd vol.) A fine copy. Guillaume Molé (1742-1790) is a polygraph author specialized in prefaces and re-formatting of texts of deceased authors for Parisian booksellers. The interest for religious and civil costume that Molé evokes in this work, makes him chosen at the beginning of 1778 by the booksellers Esnault and Rapilly to write the introductory text and the commentary of a series of prints. The presentation of these French fashions and costumes, known as the "Galerie des modes", made him a household name.