Courtiers and Cannibals, Angels and Amazons

Titlepages and frontispieces have been recognized as a decorative genre in their own right. This study illustrates 100 of the most important decorative titlepages and frontispieces, dating from the fifteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. They represent varied techniques in typography, design and overall artistic development.

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Titlepages and frontispieces have been recognized in recent years as a fascinating decorative genre in their own right. They range from purely ornamental illustrations to images with highly complex decorative symbols and allegories. This new study by Rodney Shirley illustrates 100 of the most important decorative titlepages and frontispieces, dating from the fifteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. They have been carefully chosen to represent varied techniques in typography, design and overall artistic development. They demonstrate different national characteristics with examples from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France, England, Spain and the United States. In subject matter, they range from cartography to geography, history, astronomy, travel and exploration; there are also examples of frontispieces or titlepages from biblical and floral works. All of the titlepages or frontispieces are reproduced in colour. Each entry provides a full description of the piece, setting it within its cultural and art historical context.
The introduction to the work discusses the artistic evolution and thematic development of the titlepage and frontispiece, from the adoption of printing in the late fifteenth century until the 1870s.