Print Specifics: Type of print: Lithograph - Original French antique print Publisher: Librairie de Firmin Didot, Paris, Rue Jacob 56, 1885-1887. Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair) Dimensions: 11 x 15.5 inches (28 x 40 cm), including blank margins (borders) around the image. Paper weight: 2 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin) Reverse side: Blank Notes: 1. Green color 'border' around the print in the photo is a contrasting background on which the print was photographed. 2. Detail of  the print is sharper than the photo of the print. Legend to the illustrations: In this plate, motifs n° 1, 14 and 15, which are reproduced in their entirety, and n° 4, 7, and 10, which come from parts of an initial, are from the Florentine school, represented by one of its most illustrious masters, Monte di Giovanni, who flourished between 1500 and 1528. He was a powerful artist who brought to the art of miniature painting the advantages of an education received in the goldsmith's shop, coupled with a proficiency in the art of mosaic. It is assuredly this latter quality which lends remarkable range to his works. The style of ornamentation practised by Monte di Giovanni di Favilla allies grace with strength and reveals knowledge of the acanthus of Antiquity which is manipulated with the freedom and imagination of a true goldsmith, who has no need to resort to the voluble flourishes of the scribe. There is evidence, in these works, of the vigorous training of the mosaicist, who, knowing the means at his disposal are limited, is aware that to achieve variety in colour ornamentation, he must not exploit all the possibilities of colour in every scene, or every piece, but that, on the contrary, he must choose for each of them a dominant, accentuated tone, in such a way as to obtain true variety through parallels which are the basis of a superior decorative richness. No. 14 is also an initial, an M with three downstrokes, all of which the artist has retained since the middle stroke was not an obstacle in the overall composition of the scene. This beautiful letter of architectonic design is also treated in a powerful monochrome, the unity of which forms a felicitous contrast with the subject painted in full colour. The scene depicts the temptation of Jesus by the Devil. These miniatures by Monte de Giovanni are found in choir books from the Cathedral of Florence. Fragments no.  2, 6, 8, and 9 are taken from the Gradual of the Cathedral of Siena, and date from the period of Liberate di Giacomo. N° 13 and 16, the character of which is more modern, are found in the Antiphonaries of the Cathedral of Florence and are taken from the pages painted by Antonio di Girolamo. Fragments n° 3, II, 12 and 17 are taken from the choir books of the Charterhouse of Pavia, Brera Library, Milan. N° 5 is from the Missal of Clement VII, Chigi Palace Library, Rome.   Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998. Five-star service.