Lot 807: ROSARIUS, Simon Antithesis de praeclaris Christi et indignis Papae facinori

ROSARIUS, Simon Antithesis de praeclaris Christi et indignis Papae facinoribus, cum decalogis utriusque oppositis, cumque amborum morum descriptione, quemadmodum sancta Scriptura tradit. [Geneva] Z. Durant 1558 8vo: [7]-72-[1 bl.] pp. (lacking final quire F [8 ff.]; toned, staining and other traces of use, repairs to remains of worming in fore-edge margin of 1st ff. with loss of a few letters). Old sheep (worn). Good copy. Rare 2nd issue (1st 1557) of the Geneva ed. of a “satirical attack on the Catholic Church and the Pope by the Protestant minister Simon Du Rosier (or Rosarius). It is an example of the "antithesis genre", of which Luther’s “Passional Christi und Antichristi” is the most famous expression. The work is illustrated by 36 woodcuts, attributed to Bernard Salomon after Lucas Cranach.” (Quaritch). “The Antithesis instructs readers in Protestant doctrine through derogatory comparisons with Catholic teachings. 18 woodcut illustrations of the life of Christ are paired with 18 woodcut images of parallel situations in the lives of the popes; the majority contrast Christ’s simplicity, humility, charity, and love of peace, with the Pontiff’s pomp, pride, avarice, and militarism. One pair, for example, contrasts an image of Christ washing the feet of his Disciples with one of courtiers kissing the Pope’s feet, juxtaposing Christ’s humility with the worldly vanity of the popes. Another pair depicts Christ labouring to carry his cross and the pope borne aloft on a splendid litter.” (R. Halwas). Woodcut mark on title. Without the prose commentary “De praestantissimis Christi, et indignissimis Antichristi moribus viri fidelis declaratio lectori” by Bernardino Ochino. Ref. GLN-2087. - Adams R-776. - Gilmont (GLN 15-16) 925. - STC French (BL) Suppl. 66. Prov. Old name on front endpaper.