Lot 312: 

SERLIO, Sebastiano (1475-1554). Architectura. Books I-V, in Dutch: Den eersten boeck [-tweeden] van Architecturen. Antwerp: widow of Pieter Coecke, 1553 -- Die alder vermaertste Antique edificien van temple. Antwerp: Pieter Coecke, 1546 -- Reglen van Metselriien. Antwerp: Pieter Coecke, 1549 -- Den viifsten boeck von Architecturen. Antwerp: widow of Pieter Coecke, 1553.

5 parts in one, 2υo (356 x 243 mm). Black letter. First, second and fifth titles within strap-work border, third title in a table above ruins of an arcade, fourth title within architectural border, numerous woodcut illustrations in text, many full page. (First title with tear and with chipping to blank margins, some overall light darkening, minor staining and light finger soiling.) Contemporary limp vellum (some darkening to covers and spine, upper joint splitting). Provenance: Thomas Stuart Traill (1849-1925), Canadian physician and political figure (bookplate); acquired from Irving Zucker Art Books, 1973.

FIRST DUTCH EDITION of one of the first modern works on architecture. "Serlio was the first to publish a book on architecture in which the illustrations assumed primary importance" (Mortimer). Serlio's texts are concerned with the fundamentals of geometry and perspective "but book two contains three elaborate full-page designs for the theater" (Mortimer). These are a "scène comique" and two "scènes satyrique." "Sebastiano Serlio is one of the four Renaissance authors, with Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, Andrea Palladio, and Vincenzo Scamozzi, who surpassed in importance Vitruvius and his sixteenth-century commentators" (Millard). Some of the illustrations of this edition are reverse copies from an undated Venetian edition and were used in three subsequent editions. Berlin Kat. 2569; Fowler 305; 323; See Mortimer French 492, Mortimer Italian 472 and Millard French 153. Fact and Fantasy 33.

We’ll email you when items you want become available. Go >