by (PÂRIS, Pierre-Adrien)
Engraved frontis. port. & six folding engraved plates. 2 p.l., vii, [1], 40, 256 pp. 8vo, cont. red straight-grained morocco (upper cover with small ink-stain, some foxing), panelled in gilt, outer border elaborately gilt, flat spine gilt, a.e.g. Besançon: Librairie de Deis, 1821. The catalogue of the collection of books and antiquities of Pierre-Adrien Pâris; the greatest professional library of the early 19th century. He bequeathed it to the city of Besançon. It contained a number of the essential books on architecture, about 1500 manuscript architectural designs by Pâris, and paintings and drawings by Fragonard, Boucher, and Saint-Aubin. Pâris (1745-1819), was architect to Louis XVI, designer of the royal cabinet, and directed royal festivities at Versailles, Marly, and Trianon. The collection reflects his deep appreciation for the classical architecture of Greece and Rome, where he journeyed several times. During these trips, he sketched buildings and artifacts found at Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and other sites, which, along with other drawings, compose the 1500 architectural designs described here. These experiences prepared him to serve as director of the Académie de France in Rome under Napoleon, where he was responsible for excavations at the Colosseum. The library has considerable sections on architecture, history, the arts of antiquity, etc. The first 40 pages provide a biographical sketch of Pâris. Pages 1-146 enumerate 777 lots of books. Pages 147-222 contain a description of his cabinet (509 lots). The book concludes with an index of authors and artists. The engravings depict bronzes, terra cotta sculptures, marble statues, and other unique items in the collection. Nice copy, apart from the foxing. From the library of Bernard H. Breslauer (his sale Christie's NY, 22-23 March 2005, lot 660). ❧ N.B.G., Vol. 39, cols. 209-10.
(Inventory #: 5938)