- 203
Vitruvius Pollio, Marcus.
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- De architectura libri dece traducti de latina in Vulgare. Como: Gottardo da Ponte, 15 July, 1521
- Paper
Folio (395 x 260mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-page and beneath register, woodcut initials, 117 woodcut illustrations, 10 full-page, modern vellum, title and leaf 7 from another copy, blank foot of title-page restored, restoration in a few places with missing text supplied in ink facsimile, small hole in S8 with loss of two letters
Provenance
"Casa Professa Rom: S.J.", inscription on title-page; Nicolo Porro, contemporary inscription beneath register
Literature
Censimento 16 CNCE 49742; Cicognara 698; Mortimer, Harvard Italian 544; PMM 26
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
First edition in Italian, the first translation of Vitruvius into a living language, and one of the masterpieces of Renaissance book illustration.
The translation and extensive commentary is by Cesare Cesariano who, Vasari reports in his life of Bramante, "Enraged at not having received the reward which he had expected [for the present work], Cesare refused to work any more, and, becoming eccentric, he died more like a beast than a man". He stopped work after an argument with the publishers in May 1521 and, as a result, his commentary ends after chapter 6 of book IX. It was completed by Benedetto Giovio and Bono Mauro. Gottardo da Ponte was brought from Milan to print the edition of 1,300 copies.
The woodcuts are, in manner and quality, close to Leonardo; Kristeller believed that the drawings for the illustrations were undoubtedly executed by a pupil of Leonardo. The woodcuts go beyond the classical domain of the previous illustrated editions; as well as depicting many Leonardesque mechanical devices, they include three full-page plans and elevations of Milan Cathedral, apparently the first illustration of gothic architecture in a classical text.
The translation and extensive commentary is by Cesare Cesariano who, Vasari reports in his life of Bramante, "Enraged at not having received the reward which he had expected [for the present work], Cesare refused to work any more, and, becoming eccentric, he died more like a beast than a man". He stopped work after an argument with the publishers in May 1521 and, as a result, his commentary ends after chapter 6 of book IX. It was completed by Benedetto Giovio and Bono Mauro. Gottardo da Ponte was brought from Milan to print the edition of 1,300 copies.
The woodcuts are, in manner and quality, close to Leonardo; Kristeller believed that the drawings for the illustrations were undoubtedly executed by a pupil of Leonardo. The woodcuts go beyond the classical domain of the previous illustrated editions; as well as depicting many Leonardesque mechanical devices, they include three full-page plans and elevations of Milan Cathedral, apparently the first illustration of gothic architecture in a classical text.