DELAUNE Etienne (Paris or Orléans c.1518 Strasbourg c.1583) - "The twelve Months of the year (First suite)". c.1561. Complete suite of 12 plates engraved with etching and burin. Proofs of the 1st state on II (before the figures and the address "F.L.D Ciartres Excudit") on old laid paper, glued by the corners, two by two, on cream laid sheets. References: Robert-Dumesnil, n°225 to 236. Courboin, n°4517. "La gravure française à la Reniassance", BNF, n°106. This first series, with rectangular scenes and elaborate borders, is also called the "Great Months" suite, in comparison to its second smaller, oval-format suite, without borders or captions. The engraved suite was Delaune's favourite genre, and he produced about fifty cycles (The Five Senses, The Old Testament, The Four Continents), which represents almost 90% of his engraved work. In each engraving of this suite, the artist indicates the month in question in the legend at the bottom and by placing the corresponding sign of the zodiac above it. The elegantly composed borders evoke the art of tapestry; they are also reminiscent of the frescoed compositions created by Rosso and Le Primatice for the Galerie François I in Fontainebleau.Approximately 17.3 x 23.5 cm per plate. Condition A (Cut at the edge of the framing net or sometimes very slightly inside it, tear formerly restored in the shelf for June...). Set of 12 plates.