‎BOILEAU-DESPREAUX, NICOLAS.‎
‎Oeuvres avec des eclaircissemens historiques, donnez par lui-meme. Nouvelle edition revue, corrigee & augmentee de diverses remarques. 2 vols.‎

‎Amsterdam, D. Mortier, 1718. 4to. 2 parts bound in 1 full calf binding with five raised bands and coloured frames to boards. Wear and soiling to extremities. A few worm holes to spine. Title-page to vol. 2 with a few lines in red pencil in margin. Last few leaves brownpostted. Internally generally fine and clean. (2), XXIV, (2), 454" (4), VII, (1), 424, (24) pp. + frontispiece, large folded portrait (Wilhelmina Charlotte Princess of Wales by F. Gunst after Kneller), and 6 plates. ‎

Reference : 60648

‎The uncommon 4to-edition of Boileau-Despreaux’s Oeuvres. Nicolas Boileau (1636-1711), often simply known as Boileau, achieved acclaim as a distinguished French poet and critic in the 17th century. Initially educated at the College of Beauvais with intentions of pursuing a clerical path, he eventually shifted his focus from theology to law to fulfill his father's wishes. Boileau's literary journey commenced with the publication of his first satirical poem, ""Adieux d'un poète à la ville de Paris,"" at the age of 25. Subsequently, he released six more satires, including notable works like ""Les embarras de Paris,"" ""La satire à Molière,"" and ""Le repas ridicule."" In these satires, Boileau not only parodied and critiqued figures such as Cotin, Chapelain, and Le Voyer but also played a pivotal role in refining the practical aspects of the French language. Notably, these satires marked the introduction of systematic literary criticism in France, focusing on art's merits rather than being driven by envy or anger. Tchemerzine II, 293Brunet 1, 1058‎