MADONNA ALBUM

[Massachusetts]: n.p., 1914. Very good plus.. Hand-accented gift scrapbook of religious iconography created and presented by Julia Morin to her brother, Reverend William Morin, upon the occasion of his ordination. Populated with reproductions of the masterworks of Christian art by Bellini, Gaddi, Titian, Correggio, Raphael, Del Sarto, Renni, Rubens, Rembrandt, Hoffman, among others, each page is carefully engrossed with exquisite titles and borders. Plates likely clipped from THE PERRY MAGAZINE FOR SCHOOL AND HOME, a Boston-based periodical of the era which reproduced fine works of art for use in education. Several instances of hand-colored covering-over an otherwise nude baby Jesus add a note of reverential modesty. Julia's inscription to the cover identifies her as a 1914 graduate of St. Ann's Convent, presumably of Readville, MA. Historical references cite William as having ministered to congregations near Boston, Fitchburg, and North Adams. A touching and lovingly-assembled folk book. Commercial string-tied album. Cloth covered, limp card boards. Gilt lettering to front. 50 leaves holding a single portrait photograph and 194 clipped artwork reproductions within hand-cut corner mounts at rectos and versos. Each page with ornate outlining and calligraphic titling in white album pen. Loose tissue guards between leaves intact. Mild handling wear. One clipped element perished. Overall clean, well preserved. In a custom archival clamshell box.