Rare first edition of Tengnagel's most acclaimed work, beautifully and luxuriously executed. Mattheus Ganzneb Tengnagel (1613-1652) was a popular Amsterdam poet and playwright, notorious for his licentious lifestyle. The present play is a comedy, based on La gitanilla (1613) by Miguel de Cervantes. It tells the story of the nobleman Don Juan, who falls in love with the nomadic girl Preciose, but is not allowed to marry her due to her low social status. However, just as he decides to give up his titles for her, Preciose discovers she was taken away from her real parents and is actually a noblewoman herself. Spanish plays were very popular in the Low Countries at the time, so the present work shows that Tengnagel was well aware of contemporary Amsterdam taste. The play was well received and was performed in theatres from 1644 until the end of the 18th century. The present first edition is especially of interest for the fine etched plates by Pieter Nolpe (1605-1670), generally considered one of the most accomplished artists of his day.
With a later description of the work written on the verso of the second flyleaf. The corners of the boards are slightly bumped, the title on the spine has faded. The work is lightly browned throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Hollstein 249-254; Nagler M. V, p. 413; Dozy 91-96.