Lot 431: WRIGHT, Thomas (1711-86). Universal Architecture. Book I. Six Original Designs of

WRIGHT, Thomas (1711-86). Universal Architecture. Book I. Six Original Designs of Arbours. [Book II. Six Original Designs of Grottos.]. London: Printed for the Author, 1755-58. 2 parts in one volume, oblong 2° (303 x 488mm). 2 titles printed in red and black with engraved vignettes by M. Darly and Paul Sandby respectively, index and 2-pages of text to each work, list of subscribers for book I with central vignette, 24 engraved plates (title to part I and subscribers' leaf detached, title to part I rather browned and soiled with some fraying, repaired on verso, one plate torn without loss and repaired on verso, a few marginal repairs, marginal spotting on 4 leaves, clean tears and soiling to edges). Stitched. Provenance: "Durham" (pencil signature on title to part I). RARE. FIRST EDITION. Archer 357.1; Harris 951. Only 80 subscribers to Book I are listed.

"Universal Architecture is an attractive collection of designs for arbors and grottoes... The scenery that surrounds each structure is the most elaborate and complex found to date in a British architectural treatise... Wright now established a complex visual dialogue between the Rococo forms of his architectural designs and their exuberant natural surroundings. Some designs clearly were prepared with an extensive natural context in mind -- the grotto intended to terminate a view, for example, or the arbor 'of the Parasol Kind suited to a Situation commanding an extensive Prospect.' In other cases, Wright exploited the variety, form, and texture of natural elements in the immediate vicinity of his designs. For example the 'Druid's Cell, or Arbour of the Hermitage Kind, purposely designed for a Study or Philosophical Retirement' is shown set into the side of a hill and surrounded overhead and on the sides by dense foliage. Conversely the arbor 'of the Tholus Kind, proposed for Entertainments in the open Air' is a light and open structure, set on a raised level in a clearing in the midst of a forest" (Archer).

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