Palladio, Andrea (author) / Richards, Godfrey (translator). The First Book of Architecture, by Andrea Palladio. Translated out of Italian: With an Appendic Touching Doors and Windows, by Pr Le Muet Architect to the French King. Tranlated out of French by G.R. [Godfrey Richards]. Also Rules and Demonstrations, with several Designs for the Framing of any manner of Roofs either above pitch or under pitch, whether Square or Bevel, never published before. With Designs of Floors of variety of small pieces of Wood, lately made in the Pallace of the Queen Mother, at Sommerset-House; a Curiosity never practiced in England before. The Fifth Edition Corrected and Enlarged. With the new Model of the Cathedral of St. Paus as it is now to be Built. London, Printed for T. Parkhurst, G. Sawbridge and E. Tracy, 1693. 19.5 x 15 cm. 2 Blank, Engraved Title Page, Title Page, (6) [Preface], 239 pages, 2 Blank. With 69 engraved plates of which 6 are folding, incl. the one showing the Cathedral of St. Pauls in London.. Modern half calf, over marbled paper boards. Two red morocco spine labels. Gilt decorations and titles. New end papers. Please see images. Minor shelf wear to binding. Various names of previous owners on first blank, engraved title and title pages. Edges age darkened. Minor edge wear. A few pages/plates misnumbered. Occasional very mild foxing / staining. Pages/plates 173, 185 and 231 appear to be missing. Overall a very nice copy in an attractive sturdy binding.

Andrea Palladio, Italian (1508 – 1580) was an Italian Renaissance architect active in the Venetian Republic. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, primarily Vitruvius, is widely considered to be one of the most influential individuals in the history of architecture. While he designed churches and palaces, he was best known for country houses and villas. His teachings, summarized in the architectural treatise, The Four Books of Architecture, gained him wide recognition.
The city of Vicenza, with its 23 buildings designed by Palladio, and his 24 villas in the Veneto are listed by UNESCO as part of a World Heritage Site named City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. The churches of Palladio are to be found within the “Venice and its Lagoon” UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I quattro libri dell’architettura (The Four Books of Architecture) is a treatise on architecture was originally written in Italian. It was first published in four volumes in 1570 in Venice, illustrated with woodcuts after the author’s own drawings. It has been reprinted and translated many times, often in single-volume format.
Book I was first published in English in 1663 in a London edition by Godfrey Richards. The first complete English language edition was published in London by the Italian-born architect Giacomo Leoni in 1715-1720.
The treatise is divided into four books:
The first book discusses building materials and techniques. It documents five classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, Composite) in all their parts (bases, columns, architraves, arches, capitals, trabeations), as well as discussing other building elements (vaulted ceilings, floors, doors and windows, fireplaces, roofs and stairs).

• Keywords: Architecture · Art · Art & Design · Classical & Old Literature · Fine Bindings & Editions · Fine Bindings & Editions · History & Culture · Reference
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 104494AB

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