Vitruvius ... Zehen Bücher von der Architectur

Author: Vitruvius Pollio, Marcus

Publisher: Henricpetri, Sebastian

Published: Basel

Publishing year: 1575

Vitruvius Pollio, Marcus. De architectura. "Des allernamhafftigsten unnd hocherfarnesten, römischen Architecti, unnd kunstreichen Werck oder Bawmeisters Marci Vitruvij Pollionis, zehen Bücher von der Architectur und künstlichem Bawen. Ein Schlüssel und einleytung aller Mathematischen unnd Mechanischen Künst, Scharpffsinniger fleissiger nachtrachtung oder Speculation künstlicher Werck ... Alles mit schönen künstlichen Figuren unnd Antiquiteten, und sonderlichen Commentarien zu mehrerem bericht und besserem verstand gezieret und erkleret ...". Basel: S. Henricpetri, 1575. Translated into German by W. H. Ryff. Folio. (17) leaves, 681, (1) pp., (1) leaf. With 190 woodblock illustrations by Georg Pencz, Peter Flötner, Virgil Solis and Hans Brosamer (one, full-page, old coloured) in text. 17th century red lacquered paper binding with gilt title on the spine.

VD16 V 1766. - A complete copy of the second edition of Ryff's translation of one of the "books that change the world". A handbook of classical Roman architecture inspired by Greek architecture. The 'Ten books on architecture' cover the principles of building in general, building materials, blueprints for theatres, temples and other public buildings, town and country houses, baths, interior decoration and murals, clocks and sundials, astronomy, mechanical engineering and military engineering. The classical tradition of architecture with its regular proportions, symmetry and three orders of columns - Doric, Ionic and Corinthian - derives from this book. -  Binding somewhat abraded, cracked (ca. 5 cm) at the top of the spine. Old handwritten exlibris from 1676 on title, aristocratics woodblock-exlibris ("Abraham Stosch") is pasted on verso of the title. At the end of the book (after the last, blank leaf) there are 7 leaves with old notes in pen bound in. - Vitruvius (c. 80–70 BC - after c. 15 BC) was a Roman architect and engineer during the 1st century BC, known for his multi-volume work entitled De architectura. He originated the idea that all buildings should have three attributes: firmitas, utilitas, and venustas ("strength", "utility", and "beauty"). These principles were later widely adopted in Roman architecture. His discussion of perfect proportion in architecture and the human body led to the famous Renaissance drawing of the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci.

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Tags: Vitruvius, De architectura, Zehen Bücher von der Architectur, Henricpetri, 1575, architecture, copperplate engravings G. Pencz P. Flötner, V. Solis, H. Brosamer