“Those other Venetian book illustrations”

Abstract

Although the invention of printing is credited to Gutenberg in fifteenth-century Mainz, by the end of the same century Venetian books, led by Aldus Manutius and the de Gregoriis firm, set the pace for European publications. Many were illustrated, although by anonymous designers and craftsmen, and featured decorated black borders with white highlights. Narrative scenes from such texts as Ovid and the Italian vernacular canon featured lively figure movement in persuasive settings. In 1500, Venetian woodcut production climaxed with a mural composite woodcut View of Venice, designed by Jacopo de’ Barbari but sponsored by German producer Anton Kolb, and protected by the Venetian Senate with one of the first print privileges ever granted.