First edition in Latin of a beautifully illustrated Dutch Royal Entree book, with all of the plates in their first states. Published simultaneously in French and in Latin, it is the first official description of an entrance in the Northern Netherlands, a tradition which had flown over from the South. The ceremonial entry of Marie de' Medici (1575-1642) was an important moment in the history of Amsterdam. Although her presence was a politically sensitive issue, she was received with great honour. The present work, complete with all 17 engravings, is a beautiful visual and textual homage to this event.
The work is especially known for its impressive plates, which are known to have had either two or three different states, depending on the plate. In the present copy, all plates are in their first state. This is easily recognisable by the lack of numbers and inscriptions at the very bottom of the plates, as well as by other details, such as the white background on the frontispiece portrait of Marie de' Medici, which shows a view of Amsterdam in later states, and the headless dog in the foreground of the final plate. Copies with plates in the first state are the most rare, as the plates were numbered to assist in managing the greater number of copies being produced. They are also usually larger than those with plates in later states, as is the case here.
The beautiful plates were drawn and engraved by different artists. Nine were engraved after Claes Moeyaert (1592-1655), who designed the triumphal arch built for De' Medici's entry, as well as the dramatic tableaux based on her life that were shown to her. These 9 engravings depict these tableaux. The portrait of Marie de' Medici, is drawn after a painting by Gerard van Honthorst (1592-1656). The remaining 7 plates, engraved by Salomon Savery (1594-1666), represent the festival in exceptional detail. The folding plate, for example, shows the hundreds of boats and ships in the IJ, with the city in the background. The other topographic plates show the old city hall (burned down in 1652) and weigh house (demolished in 1808) on the Dam, and the triumphal arches built for the occasion (1 on an artificial island). Some copies also include an extra plate of the four burgomasters of Amsterdam which is not present here, but according to Muller this plate was not orignally intended to be a part of the work, so copies without it are not incomplete.
Marie de' Medici was the wife of King Henry IV (1553-1610). After he was murdered, she became the regent of France until her son, Louis XIII (1601-1643), came of age in 1614. However, she refused to resign and continued as regent until she was removed by a coup in 1617. She initially reconciled with her son, but lost his trust when she became part of a political conspiracy, and was forced to go into exile in 1631. She arrived in the Northern Netherlands in 1638, where her visit was seen as official recognition of the Dutch Republic (1579-1795). Because of this, she was welcomed in Amsterdam with spectacular displays, water pageants, a procession, and a series of dramatic tableaux in tribute to her. However, her presence caused political difficulties with France and she was encouraged to leave after a few months. She sailed to England in October 1638, and died a few years later in Cologne.
The edges and corners of the boards are scuffed, the boards and spine are rubbed, the board are slightly dust soiled. The work is slightly foxed, with some leaves affected more than others. Otherwise in good condition. Berlin Kat. 2949; Hollstein XIV, 86-94, and XXIV, 144 a-h (the plates); Muller, Historieprenten, 1793; L'Art Ancien, cat. 26, nr. 398; Landwehr, Splendid ceremonies, 108; Lipperheide 2665; Snoep, Praal en Propaganda, pp. 39-76; STCN 850281733; Verzameling Amsterdam W.J.R. Dreesman, p. 476; USTC 1030730; Vinet 489; cf. Collections A.J. Nijland troisième partie 443-7.