I Quattro Libri dell’ Architettura di Andrea Palladio. [The Four Books of Architecture].

PALLADIO, Andrea.

$4,000.00

Item Number: 144264

Venetia [Venice]: Appresso Dominico de' Franceschi, 1570 [c. 1768].

Rare counterfeit edition, based on the first edition of 1570 of Palladio‘s monumental work, I Quattro Libri dell’ Architettura, “the most valuable illustrated architectural publication that had existed up to that time” (Burns). Folio, four parts in one volume, bound in printed patterned paper over boards, re-backed with the original gilt-lettered vellum spine laid-down, lacking head of spine, engraved title page to each part, illustrated with architectural figures and plans included in pagination, printer’s device above imprint. “Counterfeit edition, based on the first edition of 1570, with copper-plate copies of the original woodcuts. This edition was published through the bequest of Joseph Smith, British Consul at Venice,” (Fowler). EDIT16 CNCE 72746; Fowler 232. In very good condition. Lacking front free endpaper, front hinge re-inforced. Internally generally clean and bright, two small red ink stamps to title page outside of the plate mark, slight scattered thumbsoiling.

One of the giants of Venetian Renaissance architecture of the 16th century, Andrea Palladio based his designs on the values of Greek architecture, and the traditions of Roman architecture as outlined by Vitruvius. He is regarded as one of the greatest architects in the history of Western art, best known for his villas (in the Veneto), as well as his palaces (Vicenza) and churches (Venice), all located within the Venetian Republic. His architectural theories were laid out in his treatise Quattro Libri dell Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), which had a profound impact on building design throughout Europe and America. His style of architecture - a blend of Greek, Roman and Renaissance art, later known as Palladianism - accorded the greatest priority to maintaining symmetry, perspective and overall harmony, in the manner of Greco-Roman temple architecture, and was widely imitated during the 17th and 18th centuries.