In Praise of Folly (Portfolio of 10 xylographs)

Fritz Eichenberg

This "preferred edition" portfolio by Fritz Eichenberg is boxed in a red cloth clamshell portfolio and each print is pencil signed by the artist. It is numbered in ink on the colophon "III/X" (number 3 of 10). Other editions include the regular edition of 150 portfolios, plus 100 individual impressions, and 10 collaborators portfolios, numbered A to J. This portfolio includes the cancelled block for the image "Follies of Worshipping Idols".

In Praise of Folly is an essay written in Latin in 1509 by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, first printed in 1511. It was inspired by De Triumpho Stultitiae, written by the Italian humanist Faustino Perisauli (1450 - 1523). Erasmus revised and extended the work, which he originally translated in the space of a week while sojourning with Sir Thomas More at More's estate in Bucklersbury. In Praise of Folly is considered one of the most notable works of the Renaissance and played an important role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation.

Eichenberg's "Follies" include: I) Dame Folly Speaks. II) The Follies of Old Age. III) The Follies of Worshipping Idols (this block included). IV) The Human Comedy. V) The Follies of Teaching. VI) The Follies of the Monks. VII) The Follies of Princely Power. VIII) The Follies of the Court. IX) The Follies of the Popes. X) The Follies of War. The accompanying texts are set in Monotype Janson, printed at The Press of A. Colish in Mount Vernon, New York, on Strathmore Impress paper. Typography and design are by Bert Clarke. The portfolio was made by Moroquain, Inc. New York.

Eichenberg used wood engraving tools on the plank grain (rather than end grain) of the block.