The architecture [...] in ten books. Of painting in three books and of statuary in one book. Translated into Italian by Cosimo Bartoli. And now first into English [...] by James Leon I [...]; to which are added several designs of his own, for buildings both public and private [- Some designs for buildings both publick and private by James Leoni, architect].

4 parts in 3 vol., folio: front.-[13]-103, [2]-130, [2]-34, [7]-6 ff.; 102 pl. (foxing - occ. extensive -, sl. staining on some ff. in vol. I, occ. ff. sl. age-toned, marg. wormtracks at end of vol. II and begin. vol. III).

Contemp. mottled calf, double gilt-ruled covers, gilt-orn. spines with raised bands, red spr. edges (rubbed, rebacked, joints, some edges and corners repaired, front flyleaf vol. I part. detached).

First English translation by Giacomo Leoni and John Ozell based on Cosimo Bartoli's Italian version published in 1550 of Alberti "De Re Aedificatoria". In this translation, also derived from Bartoli, are also included Alberti's treatises on painting and sculpture. Leoni's aim was to provide an edition of Alberti comparable to his earlier translation of Palladio (1715-7120). These 3 parts are illustrated with an allegorical frontispiece and 75 plates (4 fold.). The third volume contains an appendix "Some designs for buildings both publick and private" by Leoni, illustrated with 27 plates (20 fold.) depicting designs of his own hand in Palladin style, as plans and elevations for London houses (Queensburry and Argyll House...), country houses (Carshalton Park, Burlington...), etc., most remained unexecuted like his triumphal arch in Hyde Park. The work totalises 103 plates, incl. the frontispiece, the most elaborated engraved by Bernard Picart. Text in 2 col. with parallel Italian and English texts. Alberti (1404-1472) was one of the greatest polymaths of the Quattrocento. He was the first theorist of perspective and, more generally, of the arts, and considered the founder of Western cryptography, a claim he shares with Johannes Trithemius. As architetect, we can quote his constructions of the churches of San Sebastiano (1460) and Sant’Andrea (1472), both in Mantua.
Ref. Millard 4. - Kat. Berlin 2554. - Cicognara 378. - Fowler 11.
Prov. Parker & son, bookseller Oxford (label). - Mod. bookpl.