Desgodetz, Les edifices antiques de Rome, Paris, 1682, contemporary calf

DESGODETZ, ANTOINE

Les edifices antiques de Rome. Paris: Jean Baptiste Coignard, 1682

folio (440 x 284mm.), engraved title-page, engraved headpieces and initials, engraved illustrations (some double-page), contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt in compartments, quire E browned, corners slightly worn

A fine copy of Desgodetz's richly illustrated catalogue of Roman monuments, renowned for its accuracy of measurement and detail. The accuracy showed that some of the most revered architectural writers (both ancient and modern) had in fact miscalculated various architectural proportions, which led to the poor reception of the book at the time of publication.

LITERATURE:

BAL RIBA 858