Cours D'Architecture, qui comprend les Ordres De Vignole; Aves des Commentaires, les Figures & Descritions de fes plus beaux Batimens, & de Ceux de Michel-Ange (Course of Architecture, which includes the Orders of Vignola; With Commentaries, Figures & Descriptions of his most beautiful Architectural Works, & those of Michelangelo)

La Haye: Pierre Grosse & Jean Neaulme, 1730. First edition. Hardcover. Good to very good condition. Large Octavo. [45] leaves, 1 folding plate depicting geometric principles; 355pp., 31 folding plates. Bound in mottled calf with elaborate decor and gilt lettering on spine; raised bands. Red edges. Frontispiece engraving. Title page printed in red and black with publisher's device. Historiated headpiece, decorative initial. Contains preface, essay on the life of Jacques Barozzo de Vignole, a table of the plates, table of contents, a preface by Vignole, illustrated parts on moldings and choice of profiles at front. Without dictionary volume.

Plain new designs, ornaments, and principle rules concerning the distribution, decorations, materials and construction of buildings, masonry, carpentry, roofing, locksmithing, gardening and everything that pertains to the Art of Building. With a complete explanation of all terms in alphabetical order by A. C. Dam, Architect to the King. Profusely illustrated with copperplate engravings in text and thirty-one additional folding plates depicting architectural details and ornamentation with descriptive text.

Fowler: "From the point of view of the practical architect this Course d'Architecture was the best work of its kind yet issued and soon superseded François Blondel's Course d'Architecture, and was unrivaled until the publication of J. F. Blondel's work of the same title in 1771-1777."

Fowler: "Vignola, another of the great protagonists of the Italian Renaissance, was as influencial in France, as Palladio was in England. There were numerous editions of his work, (39 of which are in the Fowler Collection)."

Vignola, along with Serlio, Palladio and Scamozzi, comprised the four distinguished architectural theorists of the sixteenth century. Beginning as a painter, Vignola took up drawing, then architectural delineation and perspective; using these skills he drew many of the antiquities of Rome. Those endeavors had considerable influence on his designs. Vignola composed two architectural treatises, one on perspective and another on the Five Orders. Among the many important commissions Vignola enjoyed, his selection to complete St. Peter's Basilica in Rome after the death of Michelangelo stands preëminent.

Text in French. Front and back cover with few light scuffs along top edge of front and back cover. Inked names on top of inside cover and front free endpaper. Some staining along edges of inside back cover and endpaper. Some age-toning of some plates along edges. References: cf. Fowler 32 (first ed. 1691).