Eminentissimo ac Reverendissimo Principi Carolo Ciceri S.R.E. Cardinali Amplissimo Nova vides, Eminentissime Princeps, Sacræ Virginis Bibianae, triumphalisquè eius pro Christi fide tragediæ spectra, non præstigiatricis, sed imitatricis artis specimina, Dædaleas scilicet Praxiteleæ Equitis Laurenty Bernini, Apelleæ Equitis Petri Beretini Cortonensis gloriae umbras: ... offero, ac dedico, dignissimum pietate, fide, ac fortitudine tua argumentum ratus ... Io. Iacobus de Rubeis.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
05/727
Variant Title
Sacrae Virginis Bibianae, trumphalisque eius pro Christi fide tragediae spectra
Imprint
Romæ: ex Officina Io. Iacobi de Rubeis ad Temp. S.M. de Pace cum Priv. S. Pont, [between 1686 and 1694?]
Physical Description
[5] dble. pl.; 443 mm.
Responsibility Note
The plates give the names of the source-artists, Pietro da Cortona (pl. 1, 3-5) and Gianlorenzo Bernini (pl.2). Plates [3-5] are signed by the engraver 'R.V.A. Gandensis'.
Each plate carries the imprint of 'Io. Iacob. de Rubeis' (i.e. Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi).
Summary Note
Our title is from the dedication included on plate [1], as no title-plate is given. No publication-date is carried on any plate.
As part of the renovation of the church of Saint Bibiana at Rome in 1624-6 Bernini made a statue of the saint and Cortona painted frescoes in the nave. Bibiana died as a martyr some time before the fifth century (perhaps during the reign of Julian the Apostate).
The plates show: [1] Cortona's paintings of Bibiana's parents, Dafrosa and Flavian; [2] Bernini's statue of St. Bibiana; [3] Cortona's painting of Bibiana refusing to worship pagan deities; [4] Cortona's painting of the death of Bibiana's sister, Demetria; [5] Cortona's painting of Bibiana's martyrdom.
Binding Note
18th-century half white vellum, blue paper-covered boards; red morocco spine-label lettered 'Cuppo. Di Lan. De Rub. Tempi. S.M. De Pace'. Bound with two others.
Martyrs - Saints - Iconography - Christian art and symbolism
Paintings, Italian - Mural painting and decoration - Sculpture, Italian - Statues - Church decoration and ornament - Churches - Italy - Rome - Sta. Bibiana - History - 17th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 17th century