Religious Ceremonies and Customs. Bernard Picart. First Dutch Edition. Amsterdam [1727-1738]

Religious Ceremonies and Customs. Bernard Picart. First Dutch Edition. Amsterdam [1727-1738]

Picart's monumental work in Dutch, Religious Ceremonies and Customs of all Peoples of the World, with engravings by Bernard Picart. Complete set! Six sections. First edition. 239 stunning engravings on complete pages, on thick paper, some across two pages. With dozens of title leaves with engravings in red and black ink. The series was printed in 1727-1738 in Amsterdam, Holland.

Complete sets in such fine condition are very rare!

Bernard Picart's magnum opus, which earned the appellation "The Book that Changed Europe." As per the title, this set attempts to gather the customs and ceremonies of all recognized religions worldwide. The work served as the basis for further religious studies and strongly influenced the representation of world religions in the West.

This work, known as "Picart," shattered all accepted consensuses in the field. It presented all religions, even idol worship, in an equal, non-judgmental way. It attempts to promote religious tolerance by presenting the unwanted results of fanaticism, such as very graphic pictures of torture and execution. In contrast, the work praises religions, such as Islam, which are tolerant of others.

Picart dedicated a lot of space to the Jews and even began his work with this religion, at a time when antisemitism was very prevalent in Europe. His work presents Jewish customs in a very sympathetic light and includes the famous two-page engraving, "Purim," in the Amsterdam synagogue and other works about Jewish customs, Sukkot, Passover, circumcision, wedding, burial and more.
It seems that Picart was very familiar with the Jewish community in Amsterdam and even made an engraving for Tikun Sofrim. Though the book was banned by the church, it was published in four languages (French, English, Dutch, German) and 4000 copies were sold. In recent years, religious scholars have studied this book with renewed interest.

Volume 1: [39] engravings, 387 [7] pages
Volume 2: [37] engravings, 324 [24] pages
Volume 3: [45] engravings, 229 [7] pages
Volume 4: [59] engravings, 423 [37] pages
Volume 5: [19] engravings, 368 pages
Volume 6: [40] engravings, 317 [21] pages. 39 cm.

Very fine condition. Very few aging stains. Color page cuts. Original, magnificent leather bindings with gilt embossing.