I think that it is basically certain that both the drawings and the painting were done before the present binding, and probably before any binding. In several places one can see the drawings including painting 'disappear' in the binding gutter, something that could not be done to a pre-bound book.
This is just one example:
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Of course, it is also possible that the book was once bound without the painting, then disassembled, painted and rebound. This might explain a couple of things, e.g. the fact that the new binding was done with some of the paint still fresh enough to leave an imprint on the facing page (like in the above example).
The foliation could date from this time, to facilitate the re-assembly.
This is just one example:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Of course, it is also possible that the book was once bound without the painting, then disassembled, painted and rebound. This might explain a couple of things, e.g. the fact that the new binding was done with some of the paint still fresh enough to leave an imprint on the facing page (like in the above example).
The foliation could date from this time, to facilitate the re-assembly.
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