GAMELIN (Jacques). Nouveau Recueil d'Ostéologie et de Myologie...

GAMELIN (Jacques). Nouveau Recueil d'Ostéologie et de Myologie dessiné d'après nature... pour l'utilité des sciences et des arts, divided into two parts. Toulouse, J. F. Desclassan, 1779. 2 paperback volumes, frontispiece, title, portrait, 40 plates accompanied by 24 explanatory leaves; frontispiece, title, 12 ff. text, 42 plates. Original edition and first printing of the illustrations, comprising two engraved titles illustrated with vignettes by Gamelin engraved by his pupils Martin and Lavalée, 8 further vignettes in the text, a frontispiece portrait and 82 plates. Unique edition of 200 copies of this remarkable treatise on ancient anatomy, for the production of which Gamelin had his own dissection workshop, and whose staging of bodies and skeletons, inspired by Rembrandt in particular, was likely to have influenced the works of Goya and the Romantics. A poor but complete copy of this rare and superb work, affected by several heavy wet spots and traces of mildew on the plates. (very heavy wetness, mildew, major paper losses on the frontispiece of the first volume, plate 20 cut at the bottom with major loss, partially uncropped). Attached in similar condition, with very heavy dampening, a one-volume paperback collection of the 10 plates of the Nouveau traité d'anatomie accommodée aux arts de peinture et de sculpture, the plates designed by Pierre Thomas Le Clerc and engraved by Petit after those of Vésale. Expert : Nicolas Asvisio