Very rare drawing manual with exceptionally fine plates by mainly 17th-century old masters. The confirmed artists of the prints are: Jan van Almeloveen, Cornelis Danckerts (I), Pieter de Molijn, Nicolas Perelle, Gillis van Scheyndel (I), Claes Jansz. Visscher (I). Furthermore the title-page names Silvestre, Quinault, Della Bella, Nolpe, Schenk and Vermeulen, which we could not confirm. Possibly several prints in this album are unknown works by these masters. The signatures and marks were erased from the plates, making these prints all new states. Only the first 10 plates are typical instructional illustrations, showing the basics of geometry and anatomy. The other 66 are all high quality engravings and etchings by the most renowned Dutch and international old masters. These served the readers as examples for drawing. The plates are of remarkable high quality, especially for a manual, the imprints are very fresh and well inked. They show beautiful and professional drawing models of finished landscapes, seascapes, architectural and other views, genre pieces, etc. The plates are of various sizes and forms, several circular, and also of various styles, both in design and in the art of engraving, several including the use of chiaroscuro. A short introduction and explanation of the first 6 "onderwysplaatjens" (teaching plates) is present. On verso of the title-page a motto from Formey is given: "Men kan zichzelven onderwijzen in het teekenen van eenige kleene voorwerpen: vooral van landschappen" (One can teach oneself the drawing of some small objects: especially of landscapes).
Rudolph Wiegel's Kunstcatalog of 1840 states that the prints are original and "very valuable" and that the signatures were removed from the plates. In addition it refers to the Bartsch numbers of a few: P. Molyn, Bartsch 1, 2 and 3; Almeloveen, Bartsch 27-31 and 34-36.
The album was published by Jan Steven van Esveldt Holtrop (1777-1833), who was active 1808-1833, dating the album in that period. We only traced 1 complete copy in a library (Utrecht University), which they date 1810. 2 other copies in libraries are incomplete: Rijksmuseum (lacking title-page) and RKD (lacking some plates). The identity of the compiler is unknow, but he was in possession of the original 76 old master copper plates. Though meant for young students, a collection of this many old master prints must have been valuable.
All plates are in very good condition, except for one folding plate, which is slightly grimed on the fold. one quire with two plates detached without damage. Binding only very slightly rubbed. Otherwise in very good condition. Cat. Kunsthist. Bibl. Rijksmus. Amst. I, p. 225; Rudolph Wiegl, Kunstlager-Catalog, vol. 8, Leipzig, 1840, no 63; not in Kunst op Schrift; not in NUC.