The Architecture of A. Palladio: In Four Books Containing a Short Treatise of the Five Orders, and the Most Necessary Observations Concerning All Sorts of Building; As Also The Different Construction of Private and Public Houses, High-ways. Bridges, Market-places, Xystes, and Temples, with their Plans, Sections and Uprights.

LEONI, Giacomo. [Andrea Palladio].

Item Number: 135933

London: Printed by John Darby for the Author, 1721.

Rare second edition of Leoni’s English translation of Palladio‘s monumental work, containing new typesetting, but reusing the same plates from the first edition. Folio, two volumes bound in full calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 218 engraved plates on 203 leaves (including 15 double-page plates), as well as 12 engraved in-text plates. In very good condition.

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.